Oligonucleotides for reduction of pd-l1 expression

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that are capable of reducing expression of PD-L1 in a target cell. The oligonucleotides hybridize to PD-L1 mRNA. The present invention further relates to conjugates of the oligonucleotide and pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment of viral liver infections such as HBV, HCV and HDV; parasite infections such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis or liver cancer or metastases in the liver using the oligonucleotide.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.15/458,800, which was filed Mar. 14, 2017, which claims priority toEuropean Application Number 16160149.7, which was filed Mar. 14, 2016,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to oligonucleotides (oligomers) that arecomplementary to programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), leading to reductionof the expression of PD-L1 the liver. The present invention also relatesto a method of alleviating the T cell exhaustion caused by an infectionof the liver or cancer in the liver. Relevant infections are chronicHBV, HCV and HDV and parasite infections like malaria and toxoplasmosis(e.g. caused by protozoa of the Plasmodium, in particular of the speciesP. vivax, P. malariae and P. falciparum).

BACKGROUND

The costimulatory pathway consisting of the programmed death-1 (PD-1)receptor and its ligand, PD-L1 (or B7-H1 or CD274) is known tocontribute directly to T cell exhaustion resulting in lack of viralcontrol during chronic infections of the liver. The PD-1 pathway alsoplays a role in autoimmunity as mice disrupted in this pathway developautoimmune diseases.

It has been shown that antibodies that block the interaction betweenPD-1 and PD-L1 enhance T cell responses, in particular the response ofCD8+ cytotoxic T cells (see Barber et al 2006 Nature Vol 439 p682 andMaier et al 2007 J. Immunol. Vol 178 p 2714).

WO 2006/042237 describes a method of diagnosing cancer by assessingPD-L1 (B7-H1) expression in tumors and suggests delivering an agent,which interferes with the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, to a patient.Interfering agents can be antibodies, antibody fragments, siRNA orantisense oligonucleotides. There are no specific examples of suchinterfering agents nor is there any mentioning of chronic liverinfections.

RNA interference mediated inhibition of PD-L1 using double stranded RNA(dsRNA, RNAi or siRNA) molecules have also been disclosed in for exampleWO 2005/007855, WO 2007/084865 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,507,663. None ofthese describes targeted delivery to the liver.

Dolina et al. 2013 Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids, 2 e72 describes invivo delivery of PD-L1 targeting siRNA molecules to Kupffer cellsthereby enhancing NK and CD8+ T cell clearance in MCMV infected mice.This paper concludes that PD-L1 targeting siRNA molecules delivered tohepatocytes are not effective in relation to enhancing CD8+ T celleffector function.

The siRNA approach is significantly different from the single strandedantisense oligonucleotide approach since the biodistribution and themode of actions is quite different. As described in Xu et al 2003Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. Vol 306 page 712-717, antisenseoligonucleotides and siRNAs have different preferences for target sitesin the mRNA.

WO2016/138278 describes inhibition of immune checkpoints includingPD-L1, using two or more single stranded antisense oligonucleotides thatare linked at their 5′ ends. The application does not mention HBV ortargeted delivery to the liver.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention identifies novel oligonucleotides andoligonucleotide conjugates which reduce PD-L1 mRNA very efficiently inliver cells, both in parenchymal cells (e.g. hepatocytes) and innon-parenchymal cells such as Kupffer cells and liver sinusoidalendothelial cells (LSECs). By reducing or silencing PD-L1, theoligonucleotides and oligonucleotide conjugates decrease PD-1-mediatedinhibition and thereby promote immunostimulation of exhausted T cells.Alleviation of the T cell exhaustion in a chronic pathogenic infectionof the liver will result in regained immune control and reduced levelsof viral antigens in the blood during a chronic pathogenic infection ofthe liver. Natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cellsmay also be activated by the oligonucleotides and oligonucleotideconjugates of the present invention.

The oligonucleotide conjugates secures local reduction of PD-L1 in livercells and therefore reduces the risk of autoimmune side effects, such aspneumonitis, non-viral hepatitis and colitis associated with systemicdepletion of PD-L1.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to oligonucleotides or conjugates thereoftargeting a nucleic acid capable of modulating the expression of PD-L1and to treat or prevent diseases related to the functioning of thePD-L1. The oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates may inparticular be used to treat diseases where the immune response againstan infectious agent has been exhausted.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides oligonucleotideswhich comprise a contiguous nucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotidesin length with at least 90% complementarity to a PD-L1 target nucleicacid. The oligonucleotide can be an antisense oligonucleotide,preferably with a gapmer design. Preferably, the oligonucleotide iscapable of inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 by cleavage of a targetnucleic acid. The cleavage is preferably achieved via nucleaserecruitment.

In a further aspect, the oligonucleotide is conjugated to at least oneasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety, such as aconjugate moiety comprising at least one N-Acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)moiety. The conjugation moiety and the oligonucleotide may be linkedtogether by a linker, in particular a biocleavable linker.

In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising the oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of theinvention and pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers, saltsand/or adjuvants.

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for in vivo or invitro method for reduction of PD-L1 expression in a target cell which isexpressing PD-L1, by administering an oligonucleotide or composition ofthe invention in an effective amount to said cell.

In a further aspect, the invention provides oligonucleotides,oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceutical compositions for use inrestoration of immunity against a virus or parasite.

In a further aspect, the invention provides oligonucleotides,oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceutical compositions for use as amedicament.

In a further aspect the invention provides methods for treating orpreventing a disease, disorder or dysfunction by administering atherapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of theoligonucleotide of the invention to a subject suffering from orsusceptible to the disease, disorder or dysfunction, in particulardiseases selected from viral liver infections or parasite infections.

In a further aspect the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugates orpharmaceutical composition of the invention is used in the treatment orprevention of viral liver infections such as HBV, HCV and HDV or aparasite infections such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis andtrypanosomiasis or liver cancer or metastases in the liver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1: Illustrates exemplary antisense oligonucleotide conjugates,where the oligonucleotide either is represented as a wavy line (A-D) oras “oligonucleotide” (E-H) or as T₂ (I) and the asialoglycoproteinreceptor targeting conjugate moieties are trivalentN-acetylgalactosamine moieties. Compounds A to D comprise a di-lysinebrancher molecule a PEG3 spacer and three terminal GalNAc carbohydratemoieties. In compound A and B the oligonucleotide is attached directlyto the asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety without alinker. In compound C and D the oligonucleotide is attached directly tothe asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety via a C6linker. Compounds E-I comprise a trebler brancher molecule and spacersof varying length and structure and three terminal GalNAc carbohydratemoieties.

FIG. 2: Graph showing EC50 (A) and PD-L1 knock down as % of saline (B)for the compounds tested in Example 2, in relation to their position onthe target nucleic acid. The cell line in which the compound were testedare THP1(⋅) and Karpas (

).

FIG. 3: Structural formula of the trivalent GalNAc cluster (GN2). GN2 isuseful as conjugation moiety in the present invention. The wavy lineillustrates the site of conjugation of the cluster to e.g. a C6 aminolinker or directly to the oligonucleotide.

FIG. 4: Structural formula of CMP ID NO 766_2.

FIG. 5: Structural formula of CMP ID NO 767_2.

FIG. 6: Structural formula of CMP ID NO 768_2.

FIG. 7: Structural formula of CMP ID NO 769_2.

FIG. 8: Structural formula of CMP ID NO 770_2.

FIG. 9: Western blot detecting PD-L1 protein expression in liver frompoly(IC) induced animals following treatment with saline and theindicated CMP ID NO's. Each blot shows a naked oligonucleotide versus aGalNAc conjugated version of the same oligonucleotide, blot A) CMP ID NO744_1 and 755_2, B) CMP ID NO 747_1 and 758_2, C) CMP ID NO 748_1 and759_2, D) CMP ID NO 752_1 and 763_2 and E) CMP ID NO 753_1 and 764_2.The upper band is the vinculin loading control, the lower band is thePD-L1 protein. The first lane in each blot show saline treated micewithout Poly(IC) induction. These mice express very little PD-L protein.

FIG. 10: Population of mononuclear cells in the liver after treatmentwith ● vehicle (group 10 and 1), ♦ DNA vaccine (group 11 and 2), ◯anti-PD-L1 antibody (group 12), ▴ naked PD-L1 ASO+DNA vaccine (group 7)or Δ GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 ASO+DNA vaccine (group 8), for each groupthe individual animals are represented and the average is indicated bythe vertical line for each group (see table 18). Statisticalsignificance between the DNA vaccine group and the three treatmentgroups has been assessed and if present it is indicated by * between thegroups (*=P<0.05, ***=P<0.001 and ****=P<0.0001). A) represents thenumber of T cells in the liver following treatment. B) represents thefraction of CD4+ T cells and C) represents the fraction of CD8+ T cells.

FIG. 11: Modulation of PD-L1 positive cells in the liver after treatmentwith ● vehicle (group 10 and 1), ♦ DNA vaccine (group 11 and 2), ◯anti-PD-L1 antibody (group 12), ▴ naked PD-L1 ASO+DNA vaccine (group 7)or Δ GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 ASO+DNA vaccine (group 8), for each groupthe individual animals are represented and the average is indicated bythe vertical line for each group (see table 19). Statisticalsignificance between the DNA vaccine group and the three treatmentgroups has been assessed and if present it is indicated by * between thegroups (*=P<0.05 and ****=P<0.0001). A) represents the pertentage ofCD8+ T cells which express PD-L1 in the liver following treatment. B)represents the pertentage of CD4+ T cells which express PD-L1 in theliver following treatment and C) represents the pertentage of B cellswhich express PD-L1 in the liver following treatment.

FIG. 12: HBV antigen specific CD8+ cytokine secreting cells in the liverafter treatment with ● vehicle (group 10 and 1), ♦ DNA vaccine (group 11and 2), ◯ anti-PD-L1 antibody (group 12), ▴ naked PD-L1 ASO+DNA vaccine(group 7) or Δ GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 ASO+DNA vaccine (group 8), foreach group the individual animals are represented and the average isindicated by the vertical line for each group (see table 20).Statistical significance between the DNA vaccine group and the threetreatment groups has been assessed and if present it is indicated by *between the groups (*=P<0.05). A) represents the pertentage of IFN-γsecreting CD8+ T cells in the liver which are specific towards HBVPreS2+S antigen following treatment. B) represents the pertentage ofIFN-γ secreting CD8+ T cells in the liver which are specific towards HBVcore antigen following treatment and C) represents the pertentage ofIFN-γ and TNF-α secreting CD8+ T cells in the liver which are specifictowards HBV PreS2+S antigen following treatment.

FIG. 13: HBV-DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg in AAV/HBV mice following treatmentwith GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 antisense CMP NO: 759_2 (▾) compared tovehicle (▪). The vertical line indicates the end of treatment.

DEFINITIONS

Oligonucleotide

The term “oligonucleotide” as used herein is defined as it is generallyunderstood by the skilled person as a molecule comprising two or morecovalently linked nucleosides. Such covalently bound nucleosides mayalso be referred to as nucleic acid molecules or oligomers.

Oligonucleotides are commonly made in the laboratory by solid-phasechemical synthesis followed by purification. When referring to asequence of the oligonucleotide, reference is made to the sequence ororder of nucleobase moieties, or modifications thereof, of thecovalently linked nucleotides or nucleosides. The oligonucleotide of theinvention is man-made, and is chemically synthesized, and is typicallypurified or isolated. The oligonucleotide of the invention may compriseone or more modified nucleosides or nucleotides.

Antisense Oligonucleotides

The term “Antisense oligonucleotide” as used herein is defined asoligonucleotides capable of modulating expression of a target gene byhybridizing to a target nucleic acid, in particular to a contiguoussequence on a target nucleic acid. The antisense oligonucleotides arenot essentially double stranded and are therefore not siRNAs.Preferably, the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention aresingle stranded.

Contiguous Nucleotide Sequence

The term “contiguous nucleotide sequence” refers to the region of theoligonucleotide which is complementary to the target nucleic acid. Theterm is used interchangeably herein with the term “contiguous nucleobasesequence” and the term “oligonucleotide motif sequence”. In someembodiments all the nucleotides of the oligonucleotide constitute thecontiguous nucleotide sequence. In some embodiments the oligonucleotidecomprises the contiguous nucleotide sequence and may optionally comprisefurther nucleotide(s), for example a nucleotide linker region which maybe used to attach a functional group to the contiguous nucleotidesequence. The nucleotide linker region may or may not be complementaryto the target nucleic acid.

Nucleotides

Nucleotides are the building blocks of oligonucleotides andpolynucleotides and for the purposes of the present invention includeboth naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring nucleotides. Innature, nucleotides, such as DNA and RNA nucleotides comprise a ribosesugar moiety, a nucleobase moiety and one or more phosphate groups(which is absent in nucleosides). Nucleosides and nucleotides may alsointerchangeably be referred to as “units” or “monomers”.

Modified Nucleoside

The term “modified nucleoside” or “nucleoside modification” as usedherein refers to nucleosides modified as compared to the equivalent DNAor RNA nucleoside by the introduction of one or more modifications ofthe sugar moiety or the (nucleo)base moiety. In a preferred embodimentthe modified nucleoside comprise a modified sugar moiety. The termmodified nucleoside may also be used herein interchangeably with theterm “nucleoside analogue” or modified “units” or modified “monomers”.

Modified Internucleoside Linkage

The term “modified internucleoside linkage” is defined as generallyunderstood by the skilled person as linkages other than phosphodiester(PO) linkages, that covalently couples two nucleosides together.Nucleotides with modified internucleoside linkage are also termed“modified nucleotides”. In some embodiments, the modifiedinternucleoside linkage increases the nuclease resistance of theoligonucleotide compared to a phosphodiester linkage. For naturallyoccurring oligonucleotides, the internucleoside linkage includesphosphate groups creating a phosphodiester bond between adjacentnucleosides. Modified internucleoside linkages are particularly usefulin stabilizing oligonucleotides for in vivo use, and may serve toprotect against nuclease cleavage at regions of DNA or RNA nucleosidesin the oligonucleotide of the invention, for example within the gapregion of a gapmer oligonucleotide, as well as in regions of modifiednucleosides.

In an embodiment, the oligonucleotide comprises one or moreinternucleoside linkages modified from the natural phosphodiester to alinkage that is for example more resistant to nuclease attack. Nucleaseresistance may be determined by incubating the oligonucleotide in bloodserum or by using a nuclease resistance assay (e.g. snake venomphosphodiesterase (SVPD)), both are well known in the art.Internucleoside linkages which are capable of enhancing the nucleaseresistance of an oligonucleotide are referred to as nuclease resistantinternucleoside linkages. In some embodiments at least 50% of theinternucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguousnucleotide sequence thereof, are modified, such as at least 60%, such asat least 70%, such as at least 80 or such as at least 90% of theinternucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguousnucleotide sequence thereof, are modified. In some embodiments all ofthe internucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide, or contiguousnucleotide sequence thereof, are modified. It will be recognized that,in some embodiments the nucleosides which link the oligonucleotide ofthe invention to a non-nucleotide functional group, such as a conjugate,may be phosphodiester. In some embodiments all of the internucleosidelinkages of the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequencethereof, are nuclease resistant internucleoside linkages.

Modified internucleoside linkages may be selected from the groupcomprising phosphorothioate, diphosphorothioate and boranophosphate. Insome embodiments, the modified internucleoside linkages are compatiblewith the RNaseH recruitment of the oligonucleotide of the invention, forexample phosphorothioate, diphosphorothioate or boranophosphate.

In some embodiments the internucleoside linkage comprises sulphur (S),such as a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

A phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage is particularly useful due tonuclease resistance, beneficial pharmakokinetics and ease ofmanufacture. In some embodiments at least 50% of the internucleosidelinkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequencethereof, are phosphorothioate, such as at least 60%, such as at least70%, such as at least 80 or such as at least 90% of the internucleosidelinkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequencethereof, are phosphorothioate. In some embodiments all of theinternucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide, or contiguousnucleotide sequence thereof, are phosphorothioate.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises one or more neutralinternucleoside linkage, particularly a internucleoside linkage selectedfrom phosphotriester, methylphosphonate, MMI, amide-3, formacetal orthioformacetal.

Further internucleoside linkages are disclosed in WO2009/124238(incorporated herein by reference). In an embodiment the internucleosidelinkage is selected from linkers disclosed in WO2007/031091(incorporated herein by reference). Particularly, the internucleosidelinkage may be selected from —O—P(O)₂—O—, —O—P(O,S)—O—, —O—P(S)₂—O—,—S—P(O)₂—O—, —S—P(O,S)—O—, —S—P(S)₂—O—, —O—P(O)₂—S—, —O—P(O,S)—S—,—S—P(O)₂—S—, —O—PO(R^(H))—O—, O—PO(OCH₃)—O—, —O—PO(NR^(H))—O—,—O—PO(OCH₂CH₂S—R)—O—, —O—PO(BH₃)—O—, —O—PO(NHR^(H))—O—,—O—P(O)₂—NR^(H)—, —NR^(H)—P(O)₂—O—, —NR^(H)—CO—O—, —NR^(H)—CO—NR^(H)—,and/or the internucleoside linker may be selected form the groupconsisting of: —O—CO—O—, —O—CO—NR^(H)—, —NR^(H)—CO—CH₂—,—O—CH₂—CO—NR^(H)—, —O—CH₂—CH₂—NR^(H)—, —CO—NR^(H)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NR^(H)CO—,—O—CH₂—CH₂—S—, —S—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —S—CH₂—CH₂—S—, —CH₂—SO₂—CH₂—,—CH₂—CO—NR^(H)—, —O—CH₂—CH₂—NR^(H)—CO—, —CH₂—NCH₃—O—CH₂—, where R^(H) isselected from hydrogen and C1-4-alkyl.

Nuclease resistant linkages, such as phosphothioate linkages, areparticularly useful in oligonucleotide regions capable of recruitingnuclease when forming a duplex with the target nucleic acid, such asregion G for gapmers, or the non-modified nucleoside region of headmersand tailmers. Phosphorothioate linkages may, however, also be useful innon-nuclease recruiting regions and/or affinity enhancing regions suchas regions F and F′ for gapmers, or the modified nucleoside region ofheadmers and tailmers.

Each of the design regions may however comprise internucleoside linkagesother than phosphorothioate, such as phosphodiester linkages, inparticularly in regions where modified nucleosides, such as LNA, protectthe linkage against nuclease degradation. Inclusion of phosphodiesterlinkages, such as one or two linkages, particularly between or adjacentto modified nucleoside units (typically in the non-nuclease recruitingregions) can modify the bioavailability and/or bio-distribution of anoligonucleotide—see WO2008/113832, incorporated herein by reference.

In an embodiment all the internucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotideare phosphorothioate and/or boranophosphate linkages. Preferably, allthe internucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide are phosphorothioatelinkages.

Nucleobase

The term nucleobase includes the purine (e.g. adenine and guanine) andpyrimidine (e.g. uracil, thymine and cytosine) moiety present innucleosides and nucleotides which form hydrogen bonds in nucleic acidhybridization. In the context of the present invention the termnucleobase also encompasses modified nucleobases which may differ fromnaturally occurring nucleobases, but are functional during nucleic acidhybridization. In this context “nucleobase” refers to both naturallyoccurring nucleobases such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymidine,uracil, xanthine and hypoxanthine, as well as non-naturally occurringvariants. Such variants are for example described in Hirao et al (2012)Accounts of Chemical Research vol 45 page 2055 and Bergstrom (2009)Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry Suppl. 37 1.4.1.

In a some embodiments the nucleobase moiety is modified by changing thepurine or pyrimidine into a modified purine or pyrimidine, such assubstituted purine or substituted pyrimidine, such as a nucleobasedselected from isocytosine, pseudoisocytosine, 5-methyl cytosine,5-thiozolo-cytosine, 5-propynyl-cytosine, 5-propynyl-uracil,5-bromouracil 5-thiazolo-uracil, 2-thio-uracil, 2′thio-thymine, inosine,diaminopurine, 6-aminopurine, 2-aminopurine, 2,6-diaminopurine and2-chloro-6-aminopurine.

The nucleobase moieties may be indicated by the letter code for eachcorresponding nucleobase, e.g. A, T, G, C or U, wherein each letter mayoptionally include modified nucleobases of equivalent function. Forexample, in the exemplified oligonucleotides, the nucleobase moietiesare selected from A, T, G, C, and 5-methyl cytosine. Optionally, for LNAgapmers, 5-methyl cytosine LNA nucleosides may be used.

Modified Oligonucleotide

The term modified oligonucleotide describes an oligonucleotidecomprising one or more sugar-modified nucleosides and/or modifiedinternucleoside linkages. The term chimeric” oligonucleotide is a termthat has been used in the literature to describe oligonucleotides withmodified nucleosides.

Complementarity

The term “complementarity” describes the capacity for Watson-Crickbase-pairing of nucleosides/nucleotides. Watson-Crick base pairs areguanine (G)-cytosine (C) and adenine (A)-thymine (T)/uracil (U). It willbe understood that oligonucleotides may comprise nucleosides withmodified nucleobases, for example 5-methyl cytosine is often used inplace of cytosine, and as such the term complementarity encompassesWatson Crick base-paring between non-modified and modified nucleobases(see for example Hirao et al (2012) Accounts of Chemical Research vol 45page 2055 and Bergstrom (2009) Current Protocols in Nucleic AcidChemistry Suppl. 37 1.4.1).

The term “% complementary” as used herein, refers to the number ofnucleotides in percent of a contiguous nucleotide sequence in a nucleicacid molecule (e.g. oligonucleotide) which, at a given position, arecomplementary to (i.e. form Watson Crick base pairs with) a contiguousnucleotide sequence, at a given position of a separate nucleic acidmolecule (e.g. the target nucleic acid). The percentage is calculated bycounting the number of aligned bases that form pairs between the twosequences (when aligned with the target sequence 5′-3′ and theoligonucleotide sequence from 3′-5′), dividing by the total number ofnucleotides in the oligonucleotide and multiplying by 100. In such acomparison a nucleobase/nucleotide which does not align (form a basepair) is termed a mismatch.

The term “fully complementary”, refers to 100% complementarity.

The following is an example of an oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 5) that isfully complementary to the target nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO: 772).

(SEQ ID NO: 772) 5′gcagtagagccaatta3′ (SEQ ID NO: 5)3′cgtcatctcggttaat5′

Identity

The term “Identity” as used herein, refers to the number of nucleotidesin percent of a contiguous nucleotide sequence in a nucleic acidmolecule (e.g. oligonucleotide) which, at a given position, areidentical to (i.e. in their ability to form Watson Crick base pairs withthe complementary nucleoside) a contiguous nucleotide sequence, at agiven position of a separate nucleic acid molecule (e.g. the targetnucleic acid). The percentage is calculated by counting the number ofaligned bases that are identical between the two sequences, includinggaps, dividing by the total number of nucleotides in the oligonucleotideand multiplying by 100.

Percent Identity=(Matches×100)/Length of aligned region (with gaps).

Hybridization

The term “hybridizing” or “hybridizes” as used herein is to beunderstood as two nucleic acid strands (e.g. an oligonucleotide and atarget nucleic acid) forming hydrogen bonds between base pairs onopposite strands thereby forming a duplex. The affinity of the bindingbetween two nucleic acid strands is the strength of the hybridization.It is often described in terms of the melting temperature (T_(m))defined as the temperature at which half of the oligonucleotides areduplexed with the target nucleic acid. At physiological conditions T_(m)is not strictly proportional to the affinity (Mergny and Lacroix, 2003,Oligonucleotides 13:515-537). The standard state Gibbs free energy ΔG°is a more accurate representation of binding affinity and is related tothe dissociation constant (K_(d)) of the reaction by ΔG°=−RTIn(K_(d)),where R is the gas constant and T is the absolute temperature.Therefore, a very low ΔG° of the reaction between an oligonucleotide andthe target nucleic acid reflects a strong hybridization between theoligonucleotide and target nucleic acid. ΔG° is the energy associatedwith a reaction where aqueous concentrations are 1M, the pH is 7, andthe temperature is 37° C. The hybridization of oligonucleotides to atarget nucleic acid is a spontaneous reaction and for spontaneousreactions ΔG° is less than zero. ΔG° can be measured experimentally, forexample, by use of the isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) method asdescribed in Hansen et al., 1965, Chem. Comm. 36-38 and Holdgate et al.,2005, Drug Discov Today. The skilled person will know that commercialequipment is available for ΔG° measurements. ΔG° can also be estimatednumerically by using the nearest neighbor model as described bySantaLucia, 1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 95: 1460-1465 usingappropriately derived thermodynamic parameters described by Sugimoto etal., 1995, Biochemistry 34:11211-11216 and McTigue et al., 2004,Biochemistry 43:5388-5405. In order to have the possibility ofmodulating its intended nucleic acid target by hybridization,oligonucleotides of the present invention hybridize to a target nucleicacid with estimated ΔG° values below −10 kcal for oligonucleotides thatare 10-30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the degree orstrength of hybridization is measured by the standard state Gibbs freeenergy ΔG°. The oligonucleotides may hybridize to a target nucleic acidwith estimated ΔG° values below the range of −10 kcal, such as below −15kcal, such as below −20 kcal and such as below −25 kcal foroligonucleotides that are 8-30 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments the oligonucleotides hybridize to a target nucleic acid withan estimated ΔG° value of −10 to −60 kcal, such as −12 to −40, such asfrom −15 to −30 kcal or −16 to −27 kcal such as −18 to −25 kcal.

Target Nucleic Acid

According to the present invention, the target nucleic acid is a nucleicacid which encodes mammalian PD-L1 and may for example be a gene, a RNA,a mRNA, and pre-mRNA, a mature mRNA or a cDNA sequence. The target maytherefore be referred to as a PD-L1 target nucleic acid. Theoligonucleotide of the invention may for example target exon regions ofa mammalian PD-L1, or may for example target intron region in the PD-L1pre-mRNA (see Table 1).

TABLE 1 human PD-L1 Exons and Introns Exonic regions in the Intronicregions in the human PD-L1 premRNA human PD-L1 premRNA (SEQ ID NO 1)(SEQ ID NO 1) ID start end ID start end e1 1 94 i1 95 5597 e2 5598 5663i2 5664 6576 e3 6577 6918 i3 6919 12331 e4 12332 12736 i4 12737 14996 e514997 15410 i5 15411 16267 e6 16268 16327 i6 16328 17337 e7 17338 20064

Suitably, the target nucleic acid encodes a PD-L1 protein, in particularmammalian PD-L1, such as human PD-L1 (See for example tables 2 and 3,which provide reference to the mRNA and pre-mRNA sequences for human,monkey, and mouse PD-L1). In the context of the present inventionpre-mRNA is also considered as a nucleic acid that encodes a protein.

In some embodiments, the target nucleic acid is selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 and 3 or naturally occurring variantsthereof (e.g. sequences encoding a mammalian PD-L1 protein).

If employing the oligonucleotide of the invention in research ordiagnostics the target nucleic acid may be a cDNA or a synthetic nucleicacid derived from DNA or RNA.

For in vivo or in vitro application, the oligonucleotide of theinvention is typically capable of inhibiting the expression of the PD-L1target nucleic acid in a cell which is expressing the PD-L1 targetnucleic acid. The contiguous sequence of nucleobases of theoligonucleotide of the invention is typically complementary to the PD-L1target nucleic acid, as measured across the length of theoligonucleotide, optionally with the exception of one or two mismatches,and optionally excluding nucleotide based linker regions which may linkthe oligonucleotide to an optional functional group such as a conjugate,or other non-complementary terminal nucleotides (e.g. region D′ or D″).The target nucleic acid may, in some embodiments, be a RNA or DNA, suchas a messenger RNA, such as a mature mRNA or a pre-mRNA. In someembodiments the target nucleic acid is a RNA or DNA which encodesmammalian PD-L1 protein, such as human PD-L1, e.g. the human PD-L1premRNA sequence, such as that disclosed as SEQ ID NO 1 or the humanmRNA sequence with NCBI reference number NM_014143. Further informationon exemplary target nucleic acids is provided in tables 2 and 3.

TABLE 2 Genome and assembly information for PD-L1 across species. NCBIreference Genomic coordinates sequence* accession Species Chr. StrandStart End Assembly number for mRNA Human 9 fwd 5450503 5470566GRCh38:CM000671.2 NM_014143 Cynomolgus 15 73560846 73581371GCF_000364345.1 XM_005581779 monkey Mouse 19 fwd 29367455 29388095GRCm38:CM001012.2 NM_021893 Fwd = forward strand. The genome coordinatesprovide the pre-mRNA sequence (genomic sequence). The NCBI referenceprovides the mRNA sequence (cDNA sequence). *The National Center forBiotechnology Information reference sequence database is acomprehensive, integrated, non-redundant, well-annotated set ofreference sequences including genomic, transcript, and protein. It ishosted at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/refseq.

TABLE 3 Sequence details for PD-L1 across species. SEQ ID Species RNAtype Length (nt) NO Human premRNA 20064 1 Monkey Cyno premRNA GCF ref20261 2 Monkey Cyno premRNA Internal 20340 3 Mouse premRNA 20641 4

Target Sequence

The term “target sequence” as used herein refers to a sequence ofnucleotides present in the target nucleic acid which comprises thenucleobase sequence which is complementary to the oligonucleotide of theinvention. In some embodiments, the target sequence consists of a regionon the target nucleic acid which is complementary to the contiguousnucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide of the invention. In someembodiments the target sequence is longer than the complementarysequence of a single oligonucleotide, and may, for example represent apreferred region of the target nucleic acid which may be targeted byseveral oligonucleotides of the invention.

The target sequence may be a sub-sequence of the target nucleic acid.

In some embodiments the sub-sequence is a sequence selected from thegroup consisting of a1-a149 (see tables 4). In some embodiments thesub-sequence is a sequence selected from the group consisting of a humanPD-L1 mRNA exon, such as a PD-L1 human mRNA exon selected from the groupconsisting of e1, e2, e3, e4, e5, e6, and e7 (see table 1 above).

In some embodiments the sub-sequence is a sequence selected from thegroup consisting of a human PD-L1 mRNA intron, such as a PD-L1 humanmRNA intron selected from the group consisting of i1, i2, i3, i4, i5 andi6 (see table 1 above).

The oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a contiguous nucleotidesequence which is complementary to or hybridizes to the target nucleicacid, such as a sub-sequence of the target nucleic acid, such as atarget sequence described herein.

The oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of atleast 8 nucleotides which is complementary to or hybridizes to a targetsequence present in the target nucleic acid molecule. The contiguousnucleotide sequence (and therefore the target sequence) comprises of atleast 8 contiguous nucleotides, such as 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 contiguousnucleotides, such as from 12-25, such as from 14-18 contiguousnucleotides.

Target Cell

The term a “target cell” as used herein refers to a cell which isexpressing the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments the target cellmay be in vivo or in vitro. In some embodiments the target cell is amammalian cell such as a rodent cell, such as a mouse cell or a ratcell, or a primate cell such as a monkey cell or a human cell.

In preferred embodiments the target cell expresses PD-L1 mRNA, such asthe PD-L1 pre-mRNA or PD-L1 mature mRNA. The poly A tail of PD-L1 mRNAis typically disregarded for antisense oligonucleotide targeting.

Naturally Occurring Variant

The term “naturally occurring variant” refers to variants of PD-L1 geneor transcripts which originate from the same genetic loci as the targetnucleic acid, but may differ for example, by virtue of degeneracy of thegenetic code causing a multiplicity of codons encoding the same aminoacid, or due to alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, or the presence ofpolymorphisms, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, and allelicvariants. Based on the presence of the sufficient complementary sequenceto the oligonucleotide, the oligonucleotide of the invention maytherefore target the target nucleic acid and naturally occurringvariants thereof.

In some embodiments, the naturally occurring variants have at least 95%such as at least 98% or at least 99% homology to a mammalian PD-L1target nucleic acid, such as a target nucleic acid selected form thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NO 1, 2 and 3.

Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms are known in the PD-L1 gene,for example those disclosed in the following table (human premRNAstart/reference sequence is SEQ ID NO 2)

Minor Variant minor allele Start on SEQ Variant name alleles allelefrequency ID NO: 1 rs73397192 G/A A 0.10 2591 rs12342381 A/G G 0.12 308rs16923173 G/A A 0.13 14760 rs2890658 C/A A 0.16 14628 rs2890657 G/C C0.21 2058 rs3780395 A/G A 0.21 14050 rs147367592 AG/- — 0.21 13425rs7023227 T/C T 0.22 6048 rs2297137 G/A A 0.23 15230 rs1329946 G/A A0.23 2910 rs5896124 -/G G 0.23 2420 rs61061063 T/C C 0.23 11709rs1411263 T/C C 0.23 8601 rs59906468 A/G G 0.23 15583 rs6476976 T/C T0.24 21012 rs35744625 C/A A 0.24 3557 rs17804441 T/C C 0.24 7231rs148602745 C/T T 0.25 22548 rs4742099 G/A A 0.25 20311 rs10815228 T/C C0.25 21877 rs58817806 A/G G 0.26 20769 rs822342 T/C T 0.27 3471rs10481593 G/A A 0.27 7593 rs822339 A/G A 0.28 2670 rs860290 A/C A 0.282696 rs822340 A/G A 0.28 2758 rs822341 T/C T 0.28 2894 rs12002985 C/G C0.28 6085 rs822338 C/T C 0.28 1055 rs866066 C/T T 0.28 451 rs6651524 A/TT 0.28 8073 rs6415794 A/T A 0.28 8200 rs4143815 G/C C 0.28 17755rs111423622 G/A A 0.28 24096 rs6651525 C/A A 0.29 8345 rs4742098 A/G G0.29 19995 rs10975123 C/T T 0.30 10877 rs2282055 T/G G 0.30 5230rs4742100 A/C C 0.30 20452 rs60520638 -/TC TC 0.30 9502 rs17742278 T/C C0.30 6021 rs7048841 T/C T 0.30 10299 rs10815229 T/G G 0.31 22143rs10122089 C/T C 0.32 13278 rs1970000 C/A C 0.32 14534 rs112071324AGAGAG/- AGAGAG 0.33 16701 rs2297136 G/A G 0.33 17453 rs10815226 A/T T0.33 9203 rs10123377 A/G A 0.36 10892 rs10123444 A/G A 0.36 11139rs7042084 G/T G 0.36 7533 rs10114060 G/A A 0.36 11227 rs7028894 G/A G0.36 10408 rs4742097 C/T C 0.37 5130 rs1536926 G/T G 0.37 13486rs1411262 C/T T 0.39 8917 rs7041009 G/A A 0.45 12741

Modulation of Expression

The term “modulation of expression” as used herein is to be understoodas an overall term for an oligonucleotide's ability to alter the amountof PD-L1 when compared to the amount of PD-L1 before administration ofthe oligonucleotide. Alternatively modulation of expression may bedetermined by reference to a control experiment. It is generallyunderstood that the control is an individual or target cell treated witha saline composition or an individual or target cell treated with anon-targeting oligonucleotide (mock). It may however also be anindividual treated with the standard of care.

One type of modulation is an oligonucleotide's ability to inhibit,down-regulate, reduce, suppress, remove, stop, block, prevent, lessen,lower, avoid or terminate expression of PD-L1, e.g. by degradation ofmRNA or blockage of transcription. Another type of modulation is anoligonucleotide's ability to restore, increase or enhance expression ofPD-L1, e.g. by repair of splice sites or prevention of splicing orremoval or blockage of inhibitory mechanisms such as microRNArepression.

High Affinity Modified Nucleosides

A high affinity modified nucleoside is a modified nucleotide which, whenincorporated into the oligonucleotide enhances the affinity of theoligonucleotide for its complementary target, for example as measured bythe melting temperature (T^(m)). A high affinity modified nucleoside ofthe present invention preferably result in an increase in meltingtemperature between +0.5 to +12° C., more preferably between +1.5 to+10° C. and most preferably between +3 to +8° C. per modifiednucleoside. Numerous high affinity modified nucleosides are known in theart and include for example, many 2′ substituted nucleosides as well aslocked nucleic acids (LNA) (see e.g. Freier & Altmann; Nucl. Acid Res.,1997, 25, 4429-4443 and Uhlmann; Curr. Opinion in Drug Development,2000, 3(2), 293-213).

Sugar Modifications

The oligomer of the invention may comprise one or more nucleosides whichhave a modified sugar moiety, i.e. a modification of the sugar moietywhen compared to the ribose sugar moiety found in DNA and RNA.

Numerous nucleosides with modification of the ribose sugar moiety havebeen made, primarily with the aim of improving certain properties ofoligonucleotides, such as affinity and/or nuclease resistance.

Such modifications include those where the ribose ring structure ismodified, e.g. by replacement with a hexose ring (HNA), or a bicyclicring, which typically have a biradicle bridge between the C2 and C4carbons on the ribose ring (LNA), or an unlinked ribose ring whichtypically lacks a bond between the C2 and C3 carbons (e.g. UNA). Othersugar modified nucleosides include, for example, bicyclohexose nucleicacids (WO2011/017521) or tricyclic nucleic acids (WO2013/154798).Modified nucleosides also include nucleosides where the sugar moiety isreplaced with a non-sugar moiety, for example in the case of peptidenucleic acids (PNA), or morpholino nucleic acids.

Sugar modifications also include modifications made via altering thesubstituent groups on the ribose ring to groups other than hydrogen, orthe 2′—OH group naturally found in DNA and RNA nucleosides. Substituentsmay, for example be introduced at the 2′, 3′, 4′ or 5′ positions.Nucleosides with modified sugar moieties also include 2′ modifiednucleosides, such as 2′ substituted nucleosides. Indeed, much focus hasbeen spent on developing 2′ substituted nucleosides, and numerous 2′substituted nucleosides have been found to have beneficial propertieswhen incorporated into oligonucleotides, such as enhanced nucleosideresistance and enhanced affinity.

2′ Modified Nucleosides.

A 2′ sugar modified nucleoside is a nucleoside which has a substituentother than H or —OH at the 2′ position (2′ substituted nucleoside) orcomprises a 2′ linked biradicle, and includes 2′ substituted nucleosidesand LNA (2′-4′ biradicle bridged) nucleosides. For example, the 2′modified sugar may provide enhanced binding affinity and/or increasednuclease resistance to the oligonucleotide. Examples of 2′ substitutedmodified nucleosides are 2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA,2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA (MOE), 2′-amino-DNA, 2′-Fluoro-RNA, and 2′-F-ANAnucleoside. For further examples, please see e.g. Freier & Altmann;Nucl. Acid Res., 1997, 25, 4429-4443 and Uhlmann; Curr. Opinion in DrugDevelopment, 2000, 3(2), 293-213, and Deleavey and Damha, Chemistry andBiology 2012, 19, 937. Below are illustrations of some 2′ substitutedmodified nucleosides.

Locked Nucleic Acid Nucleosides (LNA).

LNA nucleosides are modified nucleosides which comprise a linker group(referred to as a biradicle or a bridge) between C2′ and C4′ of theribose sugar ring of a nucleotide. These nucleosides are also termedbridged nucleic acid or bicyclic nucleic acid (BNA) in the literature.

In some embodiments, the modified nucleoside or the LNA nucleosides ofthe oligomer of the invention has a general structure of the formula Ior II:

wherein W is selected from —O—, —S—, —N(R^(a))—, —C(R^(a)R^(b))—, suchas, in some embodiments —O—;

B designates a nucleobase or modified nucleobase moiety;

Z designates an internucleoside linkage to an adjacent nucleoside, or a5′-terminal group;

Z* designates an internucleoside linkage to an adjacent nucleoside, or a3′-terminal group;

X designates a group selected from the list consisting of—C(R^(a)R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═C(R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═N—, —O—, —Si(R^(a))₂—,—S—, —SO₂—, —N(R^(a))—, and >C═Z

-   -   In some embodiments, X is selected from the group consisting of:        —O—, —S—, NH—, NR^(a)R^(b), —CH₂—, CR^(a)R^(b), —C(═CH₂)—, and        —C(═CR^(a)R^(b))—    -   In some embodiments, X is —O—

Y designates a group selected from the group consisting of—C(R^(a)R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═C(R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═N—, —O—, —Si(R^(a))₂—,—S—, —SO₂—, —N(R^(a))—, and >C═Z

In some embodiments, Y is selected from the group consisting of: —CH₂—,—C(R^(a)R^(b))—, —CH₂CH₂—, —C(R^(a)R^(b))—C(R^(a)R^(b))—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—,—C(R^(a)R^(b))C(R^(a)R^(b))C(R^(a)R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═C(R^(b))—, and—C(R^(a))═N—

-   -   In some embodiments, Y is selected from the group consisting of:        —CH₂—, —CHR^(a)—, —CHCH₃— CR^(a)R^(b)—

or -X-Y- together designate a bivalent linker group (also referred to asa radicle) together designate a bivalent linker group consisting of 1,2, 3 or 4 groups/atoms selected from the group consisting of—C(R^(a)R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═C(R^(b))—, —C(R^(a))═N—, —O—, —Si(R^(a))₂—,—S—, —SO₂—, —N(R^(a))—, and >C═Z,

-   -   In some embodiments, -X-Y- designates a biradicle selected from        the groups consisting of: —X—CH₂—, —X—CR^(a)R^(b)—, —X—CHR^(a)—,        —X—C(HCH₃)⁻, —O—Y—, —O—CH₂—, —S—CH₂—, —NH—CH₂—, —O—CHCH₃—,        —CH₂—O—CH₂, —O—CH(CH₃CH₃)—, —O—CH₂—CH₂—, OCH₂—CH₂—CH₂—,        —O—CH₂OCH₂—, —O—NCH₂—, —C(═CH₂)—CH₂—, —NR^(a)—CH₂—, N—O—CH₂,        —S—CR^(a)R^(b)— and —S—CHR^(a)—.    -   In some embodiments -X-Y- designates —O—CH₂— or —O—CH(CH₃)—.

wherein Z is selected from —O—, —S—, and —N(R^(a))—,

and R^(a) and, when present R^(b), each is independently selected fromhydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆-alkyl, optionally substitutedC₂₋₆-alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂₋₆-alkynyl, hydroxy, optionallysubstituted C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₂₋₆-alkoxyalkyl, C₂₋₆-alkenyloxy, carboxy,C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonyl, formyl, aryl, aryloxy-carbonyl,aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy-carbonyl,heteroaryloxy, heteroarylcarbonyl, amino, mono- and di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino,carbamoyl, mono- and di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl,amino-C₁₋₆-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- anddi(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino-C₁₋₆-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆-alkyl-carbonylamino,carbamido, C₁₋₆-alkanoyloxy, sulphono, C₁₋₆-alkylsulphonyloxy, nitro,azido, sulphanyl, C₁₋₆-alkylthio, halogen, where aryl and heteroaryl maybe optionally substituted and where two geminal substituents R^(a) andR^(b) together may designate optionally substituted methylene (═CH₂),wherein for all chiral centers, asymmetric groups may be found in eitherR or S orientation.

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are independently selected from thegroup consisting of: hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆-alkyl,optionally substituted C₂₋₆-alkenyl, optionally substitutedC₂₋₆-alkynyl, hydroxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₂₋₆-alkoxyalkyl, C₂₋₆-alkenyloxy,carboxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonyl, formyl, aryl,aryloxy-carbonyl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, heteroaryl,heteroaryloxy-carbonyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylcarbonyl, amino, mono-and di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino, carbamoyl, mono- anddi(C₁₋₆-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, amino-C₁₋₆-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, mono- anddi(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino-C₁₋₆-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆-alkyl-carbonylamino,carbamido, C₁₋₆-alkanoyloxy, sulphono, C₁₋₆-alkylsulphonyloxy, nitro,azido, sulphanyl, C₁₋₆-alkylthio, halogen, where aryl and heteroaryl maybe optionally substituted, and where two geminal substituents togethermay designate oxo, thioxo, imino, or optionally substituted methylene.

-   -   In some embodiments R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are independently        selected from C₁₋₆ alkyl, such as methyl, and hydrogen.    -   In some embodiments R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are all hydrogen.    -   In some embodiments R¹, R², R³, are all hydrogen, and either R⁵        and R^(5*) is also hydrogen and the other of R⁵ and R⁵*is other        than hydrogen, such as C₁₋₆ alkyl such as methyl.    -   In some embodiments, R^(a) is either hydrogen or methyl. In some        embodiments, when present, R^(b) is either hydrogen or methyl.    -   In some embodiments, one or both of R^(a) and R^(b) is hydrogen    -   In some embodiments, one of R^(a) and R^(b) is hydrogen and the        other is other than hydrogen    -   In some embodiments, one of R^(a) and R^(b) is methyl and the        other is hydrogen    -   In some embodiments, both of R^(a) and R^(b) are methyl.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CH₂—, W is O, and all ofR¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁵* are all hydrogen. Such LNA nucleosides aredisclosed in WO99/014226, WO00/66604, WO98/039352 and WO2004/046160which are all hereby incorporated by reference, and include what arecommonly known as beta-D-oxy LNA and alpha-L-oxy LNA nucleosides.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —S—CH₂—, W is O, and all ofR¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁵* are all hydrogen. Such thio LNA nucleosides aredisclosed in WO99/014226 and WO2004/046160 which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —NH—CH₂—, W is O, and all ofR¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁵* are all hydrogen. Such amino LNA nucleosides aredisclosed in WO99/014226 and WO2004/046160 which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CH₂—CH₂— or —O—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, W is O, and all of R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are all hydrogen.Such LNA nucleosides are disclosed in WO00/047599 and Morita et al,Bioorganic & Med. Chem. Lett. 12 73-76, which are hereby incorporated byreference, and include what are commonly known as 2′-O-4′C-ethylenebridged nucleic acids (ENA).

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CH₂—, W is O, and all ofR¹, R², R³, and one of R⁵ and R^(5*) are hydrogen, and the other of R⁵and R^(5*) is other than hydrogen such as C₁₋₆ alkyl, such as methyl.Such 5′ substituted LNA nucleosides are disclosed in WO2007/134181 whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CR^(a)R^(b)—, wherein oneor both of R^(a) and R^(b) are other than hydrogen, such as methyl, W isO, and all of R¹, R², R³, and one of R⁵ and R^(5*) are hydrogen, and theother of R⁵ and R^(5*) is other than hydrogen such as C₁₋₆ alkyl, suchas methyl. Such bis modified LNA nucleosides are disclosed inWO2010/077578 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- designate the bivalent linkergroup —O—CH(CH₂OCH₃)— (2′ O-methoxyethyl bicyclic nucleic acid—Seth atal., 2010, J. Org. Chem. Vol 75(5) pp. 1569-81). In some embodiments,the biradicle -X-Y- designate the bivalent linker group —O—CH(CH₂CH₃)—(2′O-ethyl bicyclic nucleic acid—Seth at al., 2010, J. Org. Chem. Vol75(5) pp. 1569-81). In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is—O—CHR^(a)—, W is O, and all of R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are allhydrogen. Such 6′ substituted LNA nucleosides are disclosed inWO10036698 and WO07090071 which are both hereby incorporated byreference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CH(CH₂OCH₃)—, W is O, andall of R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are all hydrogen. Such LNA nucleosidesare also known as cyclic MOEs in the art (cMOE) and are disclosed inWO07090071.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- designate the bivalent linkergroup —O—CH(CH₃)—. —in either the R- or S- configuration. In someembodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- together designate the bivalent linkergroup —O—CH₂—O—CH₂— (Seth at al., 2010, J. Org. Chem). In someembodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CH(CH₃)—, W is O, and all of R¹,R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are all hydrogen. Such 6′ methyl LNA nucleosidesare also known as cET nucleosides in the art, and may be either (S)cETor (R)cET stereoisomers, as disclosed in WO07090071 (beta-D) andWO2010/036698 (alpha-L) which are both hereby incorporated byreference).

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —O—CR^(a)R^(b)—, wherein inneither R^(a) or R^(b) is hydrogen, W is O, and all of R¹, R², R³, R⁵and R^(5*) are all hydrogen. In some embodiments, R^(a) and R^(b) areboth methyl. Such 6′ di-substituted LNA nucleosides are disclosed in WO2009006478 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —S—CHR^(a)—, W is O, and allof R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁵* are all hydrogen. Such 6′ substituted thio LNAnucleosides are disclosed in WO11156202 which is hereby incorporated byreference. In some 6′ substituted thio LNA embodiments R^(a) is methyl.

In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y- is —C(═CH₂)—C(R^(a)R^(b))—,such as —C(═CH₂)—CH₂—, or —C(═CH₂)—CH(CH₃)—W is O, and all of R¹, R²,R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are all hydrogen. Such vinyl carbo LNA nucleosides aredisclosed in WO08154401 and WO09067647 which are both herebyincorporated by reference.

In some embodiments the biradicle -X-Y- is —N(—OR^(a))—, W is O, and allof R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁵* are all hydrogen. In some embodiments R^(a) isC₁₋₆ alkyl such as methyl. Such LNA nucleosides are also known as Nsubstituted LNAs and are disclosed in WO2008/150729, which is herebyincorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the biradicle -X-Y-together designate the bivalent linker group —O—NR^(a)—CH₃— (Seth atal., 2010, J. Org. Chem). In some embodiments the biradicle -X-Y- is—N(R^(a))—, W is O, and all of R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are allhydrogen. In some embodiments R^(a) is C₁₋₆ alkyl such as methyl.

In some embodiments, one or both of R⁵ and R^(5*) is hydrogen and, whensubstituted the other of R⁵ and R^(5*) is C₁₋₆ alkyl such as methyl. Insuch an embodiment, R¹, R², R³, may all be hydrogen, and the biradicle-X-Y- may be selected from —O—CH₂— or —O—C(HCRa)—, such as —O—C(HCH3)—.

In some embodiments, the biradicle is —CR^(a)R^(b)—O—CR^(a)R^(b)—, suchas CH₂—O—CH₂—, W is O and all of R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) are allhydrogen. In some embodiments R^(a) is C₁₋₆ alkyl such as methyl. SuchLNA nucleosides are also known as conformationally restrictednucleotides (CRNs) and are disclosed in WO2013036868 which is herebyincorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, the biradicle is —O—CR^(a)R^(b)—O—CR^(a)R^(b)—,such as O—CH₂—O—CH₂—, W is O and all of R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R^(5*) areall hydrogen. In some embodiments R^(a) is C₁₋₆alkyl such as methyl.Such LNA nucleosides are also known as COC nucleotides and are disclosedin Mitsuoka et al., Nucleic Acids Research 2009 37(4), 1225-1238, whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

It will be recognized than, unless specified, the LNA nucleosides may bein the beta-D or alpha-L stereoisoform.

Certain examples of LNA nucleosides are presented in Scheme 1.

As illustrated in the examples, in some embodiments of the invention theLNA nucleosides in the oligonucleotides are beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleosides.

Nuclease Mediated Degradation

Nuclease mediated degradation refers to an oligonucleotide capable ofmediating degradation of a complementary nucleotide sequence whenforming a duplex with such a sequence.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide may function via nucleasemediated degradation of the target nucleic acid, where theoligonucleotides of the invention are capable of recruiting a nuclease,particularly and endonuclease, preferably endoribonuclease (RNase), suchas RNase H. Examples of oligonucleotide designs which operate vianuclease mediated mechanisms are oligonucleotides which typicallycomprise a region of at least 5 or 6 DNA nucleosides and are flanked onone side or both sides by affinity enhancing nucleosides, for examplegapmers, headmers and tailmers.

RNase H Activity and Recruitment

The RNase H activity of an antisense oligonucleotide refers to itsability to recruit RNase H when in a duplex with a complementary RNAmolecule. WO01/23613 provides in vitro methods for determining RNaseHactivity, which may be used to determine the ability to recruit RNaseH.Typically an oligonucleotide is deemed capable of recruiting RNase H ifit, when provided with a complementary target nucleic acid sequence, hasan initial rate, as measured in pmol/l/min, of at least 5%, such as atleast 10% or more than 20% of the of the initial rate determined whenusing a oligonucleotide having the same base sequence as the modifiedoligonucleotide being tested, but containing only DNA monomers withphosphorothioate linkages between all monomers in the oligonucleotide,and using the methodology provided by Example 91-95 of WO01/23613(hereby incorporated by reference).

Gapmer

The term gapmer as used herein refers to an antisense oligonucleotidewhich comprises a region of RNase H recruiting oligonucleotides (gap)which is flanked 5′ and 3′ by regions which comprise one or moreaffinity enhancing modified nucleosides (flanks or wings). Variousgapmer designs are described herein and a characterized by their abilityto recruit RNaseH. Headmers and tailmers are oligonucleotides capable ofrecruiting RNase H where one of the flanks is missing, i.e. only one ofthe ends of the oligonucleotide comprises affinity enhancing modifiednucleosides. For headmers the 3′ flank is missing (i.e. the 5′ flankcomprises affinity enhancing modified nucleosides) and for tailmers the5′ flank is missing (i.e. the 3′ flank comprises affinity enhancingmodified nucleosides).

LNA Gapmer

The term LNA gapmer is a gapmer oligonucleotide wherein at least one ofthe affinity enhancing modified nucleosides is an LNA nucleoside.

Mixed Wing Gapmer

The term mixed wing gapmer or mixed flank gapmer refers to a LNA gapmerwherein at least one of the flank regions comprise at least one LNAnucleoside and at least one non-LNA modified nucleoside, such as atleast one 2′ substituted modified nucleoside, such as, for example,2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA, 2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA(MOE), 2′-amino-DNA, 2′-Fluoro-RNA and 2′-F-ANA nucleoside(s). In someembodiments the mixed wing gapmer has one flank which comprises only LNAnucleosides (e.g. 5′ or 3′) and the other flank (3′ or 5′ respectfully)comprises 2′ substituted modified nucleoside(s) and optionally LNAnucleosides.

Gapbreaker

The term “gapbreaker oligonucleotide” is used in relation to a gapmercapable of maintaining RNAseH recruitment even though the gap region isdisrupted by a non-RNaseH recruiting nucleoside (a gap-breakernucleoside, E) such that the gap region comprise less than 5 consecutiveDNA nucleosides. Non-RNaseH recruiting nucleosides are for examplenucleosides in the 3′ endo conformation, such as LNA's where the bridgebetween C2′ and C4′ of the ribose sugar ring of a nucleoside is in thebeta conformation, such as beta-D-oxy LNA or ScET nucleoside. Theability of gapbreaker oligonucleotide to recruit RNaseH is typicallysequence or even compound specific—see Rukov et al. 2015 Nucl. AcidsRes. Vol. 43 pp. 8476-8487, which discloses “gapbreaker”oligonucleotides which recruit RNaseH which in some instances provide amore specific cleavage of the target RNA.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide of the invention is agapbreaker oligonucleotide. In some embodiments the gapbreakeroligonucleotide comprise a 5′-flank (F), a gap (G) and a 3′-flank (F′),wherein the gap is disrupted by a non-RNaseH recruiting nucleoside (agap-breaker nucleoside, E) such that the gap contain at least 3 or 4consecutive DNA nucleosides. In some embodiments the gapbreakernucleoside (E) is an LNA nucleoside where the bridge between C2′ and C4′of the ribose sugar ring of a nucleoside is in the beta conformation andis placed within the gap region such that the gap-breaker LNA nucleosideis flanked 5′ and 3′ by at least 3 (5′) and 3 (3′) or at least 3 (5′)and 4 (3′) or at least 4(5′) and 3(3′) DNA nucleosides, and wherein theoligonucleotide is capable of recruiting RNaseH.

The gapbreaker oligonucleotide can be represented by the followingformulae:

F-G-E-G-F′; in particular F₁₋₇-G₃₋₄-E₁-G₃₋₄-F′₁₋₇

D′-F-G-F′, in particular D′₁₋₃-F₁₋₇-G₃₋₄-E₁-G₃₋₄-F′₁-7

F-G-F′-D″, in particular F₁₋₇- G₃₋₄-E₁-G₃₋₄-F₁₋₇-D″₁₋₃

D′-F-G-F′-D″, in particular D′₁₋₃-F₁₋₇- G₃₋₄-E₁-G₃₋₄-F′₁₋₇-D″₁₋₃

Where region D′ and D″ are as described in the section “Gapmer design”.

In some embodiments the gapbreaker nucleoside (E) is a beta-D-oxy LNA orScET or another beta-LNA nucleosides shown in Scheme 1).

Conjugate

The term conjugate as used herein refers to an oligonucleotide which iscovalently linked to a non-nucleotide moiety (conjugate moiety or regionC or third region), also termed a oligonucleotide conjugate.

Conjugation of the oligonucleotides of the invention to one or morenon-nucleotide moieties may improve the pharmacology of theoligonucleotide, e.g. by affecting the activity, cellular distribution,cellular uptake or stability of the oligonucleotide. In some embodimentsthe conjugate moiety targets the oligonucleotide to the liver. A thesame time the conjugate serve to reduce activity of the oligonucleotidein non-target cell types, tissues or organs, e.g. off target activity oractivity in non-target cell types, tissues or organs. In one embodimentof the invention the oligonucleotide conjugate of the invention displayimproved inhibition of PD-L1 in the target cell when compared to anunconjugated oligonucleotide. In another embodiment the oligonucleotideconjugate of the invention has improved cellular distribution betweenliver and other organs, such as spleen or kidney (i.e. more conjugatedoligonucleotide goes to the liver than the spleen or kidney) whencompared to an unconjugated oligonucleotide. In another embodiment theoligonucleotide conjugate of the invention show improved cellular uptakeinto the liver of the conjugate oligonucleotide when compared to anunconjugated oligonucleotide.

WO 93/07883 and WO2013/033230 provides suitable conjugate moieties,which are hereby incorporated by reference. Further suitable conjugatemoieties are those capable of binding to the asialoglycoprotein receptor(ASGPr). In particular tri-valent N-acetylgalactosamine conjugatemoieties are suitable for binding to the the ASGPr, see for example WO2014/076196, WO 2014/207232 and WO 2014/179620 (hereby incorporated byreference). The conjugate moiety is essentially the part of theantisense oligonucleotides conjugates which is not composed of nucleicacids.

Oligonucleotide conjugates and their synthesis has also been reported incomprehensive reviews by Manoharan in Antisense Drug Technology,Principles, Strategies, and Applications, S. T. Crooke, ed., Ch. 16,Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001 and Manoharan, Antisense and Nucleic Acid DrugDevelopment, 2002, 12, 103, each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In an embodiment, the non-nucleotide moiety (conjugate moiety) isselected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, cell surfacereceptor ligands, drug substances, hormones, lipophilic substances,polymers, proteins, peptides, toxins (e.g. bacterial toxins), vitamins,viral proteins (e.g. capsids) or combinations thereof.

Linkers

A linkage or linker is a connection between two atoms that links onechemical group or segment of interest to another chemical group orsegment of interest via one or more covalent bonds. Conjugate moietiescan be attached to the oligonucleotide directly or through a linkingmoiety (e.g. linker or tether). Linkers serve to covalently connect athird region, e.g. a conjugate moiety (Region C), to a first region,e.g. an oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotide sequence complementaryto the target nucleic acid (region A).

In some embodiments of the invention the conjugate or oligonucleotideconjugate of the invention may optionally, comprise a linker region(second region or region B and/or region Y) which is positioned betweenthe oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotide sequence complementary tothe target nucleic acid (region A or first region) and the conjugatemoiety (region C or third region).

Region B refers to biocleavable linkers comprising or consisting of aphysiologically labile bond that is cleavable under conditions normallyencountered or analogous to those encountered within a mammalian body.Conditions under which physiologically labile linkers undergo chemicaltransformation (e.g., cleavage) include chemical conditions such as pH,temperature, oxidative or reductive conditions or agents, and saltconcentration found in or analogous to those encountered in mammaliancells. Mammalian intracellular conditions also include the presence ofenzymatic activity normally present in a mammalian cell such as fromproteolytic enzymes or hydrolytic enzymes or nucleases. In oneembodiment the biocleavable linker is susceptible to S1 nucleasecleavage. In a preferred embodiment the nuclease susceptible linkercomprises between 1 and 10 nucleosides, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9 or 10 nucleosides, more preferably between 2 and 6 nucleosides andmost preferably between 2 and 4 linked nucleosides comprising at leasttwo consecutive phosphodiester linkages, such as at least 3 or 4 or 5consecutive phosphodiester linkages. Preferably the nucleosides are DNAor RNA. Phosphodiester containing biocleavable linkers are described inmore detail in WO 2014/076195 (hereby incorporated by reference).

Region Y refers to linkers that are not necessarily biocleavable butprimarily serve to covalently connect a conjugate moiety (region C orthird region), to an oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotide sequencecomplementary to the target nucleic acid (region A or first region). Theregion Y linkers may comprise a chain structure or an oligomer ofrepeating units such as ethylene glycol, amino acid units or amino alkylgroups The oligonucleotide conjugates of the present invention can beconstructed of the following regional elements A-C, A-B—C, A-B-Y-C,A-Y—B—C or A-Y-C. In some embodiments the linker (region Y) is an aminoalkyl, such as a C2-C36 amino alkyl group, including, for example C6 toC12 amino alkyl groups. In a preferred embodiment the linker (region Y)is a C6 amino alkyl group.

Treatment

The term ‘treatment’ as used herein refers to both treatment of anexisting disease (e.g. a disease or disorder as herein referred to), orprevention of a disease, i.e. prophylaxis. It will therefore berecognized that treatment as referred to herein may, in someembodiments, be prophylactic.

Restoration of Immune Response Against Pathogens

The immune response is divided into the innate and adaptive immuneresponse. The innate immune system provides an immediate, butnon-specific response. The adaptive immune response is activated byinnate immune response and is highly specific to a particular pathogen.Upon presentation of a pathogen-derived antigen on the surface ofantigen-presenting cells, immune cells of the adaptive immune response(i.e. T and B lymphocytes) are activated through their antigen-specificreceptors leading to a pathogenic-specifc immune response anddevelopment of immunological memory. Chronic viral infections, such asHBV and HCV, are associated with T cell exhaustion characterized byunresponsiveness of the viral-specific T cells. T cell exhaustion iswell studied, for a review see for example Yi et al 2010 Immunology 129,474-481. Chronic viral infections are also associated with reducedfunction of NK cells that are innate immune cells. Enhancing viralimmune response is important for clearance of chronic infection.Restoration of immune response against pathogens, mediated by T cellsand NK cells, can be assessed by measurement of proliferation, cytokinesecretion and cytolytic function (Dolina et al. 2013 MolecularTherapy-Nucleic Acids, 2 e72 and Example 6 herein).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of antisense oligonucleotidesand conjugates thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising theseto restore immune response against pathogens that have infected ananimal, in particular a human. The antisense oligonucleotide conjugatesof the present invention are particular useful against pathogens thathave infected the liver, in particular chronic liver infections likeHBV. The conjugates allow targeted distribution of the oligonucleotidesand prevents systemic knockdown of the target nucleic acid.

The Oligonucleotides of the Invention

The invention relates to oligonucleotides capable of modulatingexpression of PD-L1. The modulation is may achieved by hybridizing to atarget nucleic acid encoding PD-L1 or which is involved in theregulation of PD-L1. The target nucleic acid may be a mammalian PD-L1sequence, such as a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3. The target nucleic acid maybe a pre-mRNA, an mRNA or any RNA sequence expressed from a mammaliancell that supports the expression or regulation of PD-L1.

The oligonucleotide of the invention is an antisense oligonucleotidewhich targets PD-L1.

In one aspect of the invention the oligonucleotides of the invention areconjugated to a conjugate moiety, in particular an asialoglycoproteinreceptor targeting conjugate moiety.

In some embodiments the antisense oligonucleotide of the invention iscapable of modulating the expression of the target by inhibiting ordown-regulating it. Preferably, such modulation produces an inhibitionof expression of at least 20% compared to the normal expression level ofthe target, more preferably at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or90% inhibition compared to the normal expression level of the target.Preferably, such modulation produces an inhibition of expression of atleast 20% compared to the expression level when the cell or organism ischallenged by an infectious agent, or treated with an agent simulatingthe challenge by an infectious agent (eg poly I:C or LPS), morepreferably at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% inhibitioncompared to the expression level when the cell or organism is challengedby an infectious agent, or treated with an agent simulating thechallenge by an infectious agent (eg poly I:C or LPS). In someembodiments oligonucleotides of the invention may be capable ofinhibiting expression levels of PD-L1 mRNA by at least 60% or 70% invitro using KARPAS-299 or THP1 cells. In some embodiments compounds ofthe invention may be capable of inhibiting expression levels of PD-L1protein by at least 50% in vitro using KARPAS-299 or THP1 cells.Suitably, the examples provide assays which may be used to measure PD-L1RNA (e.g. example 1). The target modulation is triggered by thehybridization between a contiguous nucleotide sequence of theoligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments theoligonucleotide of the invention comprises mismatches between theoligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid. Despite mismatches,hybridization to the target nucleic acid may still be sufficient to showa desired modulation of PD-L1 expression. Reduced binding affinityresulting from mismatches may advantageously be compensated by increasednumber of nucleotides in the oligonucleotide and/or an increased numberof modified nucleosides capable of increasing the binding affinity tothe target, such as 2′ modified nucleosides, including LNA, presentwithin the oligonucleotide sequence.

In some embodiments the antisense oligonucleotide of the invention iscapable of restoring pathogen-specific T cells. In some embodiments,oligonucleotides of the invention are capable of increasing thepathogen-specific T cells by at least 40%, 50%, 60% or 70% when comparedto untreated controls or controls treated with standard of care. In oneembodiment the antisense oligonucleotide or conjugate of the inventionis capable increasing HBV-specific T cells when compared to untreatedcontrols or controls treated with standard of care. Suitably, theexamples provide assays which may be used to measure the HBV-specific Tcells (e.g. T cell proliferation, cytokine secretion and cytolyticactivity). In another embodiment the the antisense oligonucleotide orconjugate of the invention is capable increasing HCV-specific T cellswhen compared to untreated controls or controls treated with standard ofcare. In another embodiment the the antisense oligonucleotide orconjugate of the invention is capable increasing HDV-specific T cellswhen compared to untreated controls or controls treated with standard ofcare.

In some embodiments the antisense oligonucleotide of the invention iscapable reducing HBsAg levels in an animal or human. In someembodiments, oligonucleotides of the invention are capable of reducingthe HBsAg levels by at least 40%, 50%, 60% or 70%, more preferably by atleast 80%, 90% or 95% when compared to the level prior to treatment.Most preferably oligonucleotides of the invention are capable ofachieving seroconversion of HBsAg in an animal or human infected withHBV.

An aspect of the present invention relates to an antisenseoligonucleotide which comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of 10to 30 nucleotides in length with at least 90% complementarity to a PD-L1target nucleic acid.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous sequencewhich is at least 90% complementary, such as at least 91%, such as atleast 92%, such as at least 93%, such as at least 94%, such as at least95%, such as at least 96%, such as at least 97%, such as at least 98%,or 100% complementary with a region of the target nucleic acid.

In a preferred embodiment the oligonucleotide of the invention, orcontiguous nucleotide sequence thereof is fully complementary (100%complementary) to a region of the target nucleic acid, or in someembodiments may comprise one or two mismatches between theoligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid.

In some embodiments the oligonucleotide comprises a contiguousnucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotides in length with at least 90%complementary, such as fully (or 100%) complementary, to a region targetnucleic acid region present in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. In someembodiments the oligonucleotide sequence is 100% complementary to acorresponding target nucleic acid region present SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ IDNO: 2. In some embodiments the oligonucleotide sequence is 100%complementary to a corresponding target nucleic acid region present SEQID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugatecomprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% complementary, such as 100% complementarity, toa corresponding target nucleic acid region wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is complementary to a sub-sequence of the targetnucleic acid selected from the group consisting of position 371-3068,5467-12107 and 15317-19511 on SEQ ID NO: 1. In a further embodiment thesub-sequence of the target nucleic acid is selected from the groupconsisting of position 371-510, 822-1090, 1992-3068, 5467-5606,6470-12107, 15317-15720, 15317-18083, 18881-19494 and 1881-19494 on SEQID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment the sub-sequence of the targetnucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of position7300-7333, 8028-8072, 9812-9859, 11787-11873 and 15690-15735 on SEQ IDNO: 1.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugatecomprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% complementary, such as 100% complementarity, toa corresponding target nucleic acid region present in SEQ ID NO: 1,wherein the target nucleic acid region is selected from the groupconsisting of region a1 to a449 in table 4.

TABLE 4 Regions of SEQ ID NO 1 which may be targeted usingoligonucleotide of the invention Position in SEQ ID NO 1 Reg. a from toLength a1 51 82 32 a2 87 116 30 a3 118 133 16 a4 173 206 34 a5 221 28767 a6 304 350 47 a7 354 387 34 a8 389 423 35 a9 425 440 16 a10 452 46817 a11 470 484 15 a12 486 500 15 a13 503 529 27 a14 540 574 35 a15 576649 74 a16 652 698 47 a17 700 750 51 a18 744 758 15 a19 774 801 28 a20805 820 16 a21 827 891 65 a22 915 943 29 a23 950 982 33 a24 984 1000 17a25 1002 1054 53 a26 1060 1118 59 a27 1124 1205 82 a28 1207 1255 49 a291334 1349 16 a30 1399 1425 27 a31 1437 1458 22 a32 1460 1504 45 a33 15481567 20 a34 1569 1586 18 a35 1608 1662 55 a36 1677 1700 24 a37 1702 172120 a38 1723 1745 23 a39 1768 1794 27 a40 1820 1835 16 a41 1842 1874 33a42 1889 1979 91 a43 1991 2011 21 a44 2013 2038 26 a45 2044 2073 30 a462075 2155 81 a47 2205 2228 24 a48 2253 2273 21 a49 2275 2303 29 a50 23022333 32 a51 2335 2366 32 a52 2368 2392 25 a53 2394 2431 38 a54 2441 245515 a55 2457 2494 38 a56 2531 2579 49 a57 2711 2732 22 a58 2734 2757 24a59 2772 2786 15 a60 2788 2819 32 a61 2835 2851 17 a62 2851 2879 29 a632896 2912 17 a64 2915 2940 26 a65 2944 2973 30 a66 2973 2992 20 a67 29983016 19 a68 3018 3033 16 a69 3036 3051 16 a70 3114 3139 26 a71 3152 317322 a72 3181 3203 23 a73 3250 3271 22 a74 3305 3335 31 a75 3346 3363 18a76 3391 3446 56 a77 3448 3470 23 a78 3479 3497 19 a79 3538 3554 17 a803576 3597 22 a81 3603 3639 37 a82 3663 3679 17 a83 3727 3812 86 a84 38433869 27 a85 3874 3904 31 a86 3926 3955 30 a87 3974 3993 20 a88 3995 404248 a89 4053 4073 21 a90 4075 4123 49 a91 4133 4157 25 a92 4158 4188 31a93 4218 4250 33 a94 4277 4336 60 a95 4353 4375 23 a96 4383 4398 16 a974405 4446 42 a98 4448 4464 17 a99 4466 4493 28 a100 4495 4558 64 a1014571 4613 43 a102 4624 4683 60 a103 4743 4759 17 a104 4761 4785 25 a1054811 4858 48 a106 4873 4932 60 a107 4934 4948 15 a108 4955 4974 20 a1094979 5010 32 a110 5012 5052 41 a111 5055 5115 61 a112 5138 5166 29 a1135168 5198 31 a114 5200 5222 23 a115 5224 5284 61 a116 5286 5302 17 a1175317 5332 16 a118 5349 5436 88 a119 5460 5512 53 a120 5514 5534 21 a1215548 5563 16 a122 5565 5579 15 a123 5581 5597 17 a124 5600 5639 40 a1255644 5661 18 a126 5663 5735 73 a127 5737 5770 34 a128 5778 5801 24 a1295852 5958 107 a130 6007 6041 35 a131 6049 6063 15 a132 6065 6084 20 a1336086 6101 16 a134 6119 6186 68 a135 6189 6234 46 a136 6236 6278 43 a1376291 6312 22 a138 6314 6373 60 a139 6404 6447 44 a140 6449 6482 34 a1416533 6555 23 a142 6562 6622 61 a143 6624 6674 51 a144 6679 6762 84 a1456764 6780 17 a146 6782 6822 41 a147 6824 6856 33 a148 6858 6898 41 a1496906 6954 49 a150 6969 6992 24 a151 6994 7020 27 a152 7033 7048 16 a1537050 7066 17 a154 7078 7094 17 a155 7106 7122 17 a156 7123 7144 22 a1577146 7166 21 a158 7173 7193 21 a159 7233 7291 59 a160 7300 7333 34 a1617336 7351 16 a162 7353 7373 21 a163 7375 7412 38 a164 7414 7429 16 a1657431 7451 21 a166 7453 7472 20 a167 7474 7497 24 a168 7517 7532 16 a1697547 7601 55 a170 7603 7617 15 a171 7632 7647 16 a172 7649 7666 18 a1737668 7729 62 a174 7731 7764 34 a175 7767 7817 51 a176 7838 7860 23 a1777862 7876 15 a178 7880 7944 65 a179 7964 8012 49 a180 8028 8072 45 a1818086 8100 15 a182 8102 8123 22 a183 8125 8149 25 a184 8151 8199 49 a1858218 8235 18 a186 8237 8276 40 a187 8299 8344 46 a188 8346 8436 91 a1898438 8470 33 a190 8472 8499 28 a191 8505 8529 25 a192 8538 8559 22 a1938562 8579 18 a194 8581 8685 105 a195 8688 8729 42 a196 8730 8751 22 a1978777 8800 24 a198 8825 8865 41 a199 8862 8894 33 a200 8896 8911 16 a2018938 8982 45 a202 8996 9045 50 a203 9048 9070 23 a204 9072 9139 68 a2059150 9168 19 a206 9170 9186 17 a207 9188 9202 15 a208 9204 9236 33 a2099252 9283 32 a210 9300 9331 32 a211 9339 9354 16 a212 9370 9398 29 a2139400 9488 89 a214 9490 9537 48 a215 9611 9695 85 a216 9706 9721 16 a2179723 9746 24 a218 9748 9765 18 a219 9767 9788 22 a220 9794 9808 15 a2219812 9859 48 a222 9880 9913 34 a223 9923 9955 33 a224 9966 10007 42 a22510009 10051 43 a226 10053 10088 36 a227 10098 10119 22 a228 10133 1016331 a229 10214 10240 27 a230 10257 10272 16 a231 10281 10298 18 a23210300 10318 19 a233 10339 10363 25 a234 10409 10426 18 a235 10447 1049751 a236 10499 10529 31 a237 10531 10546 16 a238 10560 10580 21 a23910582 10596 15 a240 10600 10621 22 a241 10623 10664 42 a242 10666 1068520 a243 10717 10773 57 a244 10775 10792 18 a245 10794 10858 65 a24610874 10888 15 a247 10893 10972 80 a248 10974 10994 21 a249 10996 1101217 a250 11075 11097 23 a251 11099 11124 26 a252 11140 11157 18 a25311159 11192 34 a254 11195 11226 32 a255 11235 11261 27 a256 11279 1133759 a257 11344 11381 38 a258 11387 11411 25 a259 11427 11494 68 a26011496 11510 15 a261 11512 11526 15 a262 11528 11551 24 a263 11570 1159223 a264 11594 11634 41 a265 11664 11684 21 a266 11699 11719 21 a26711721 11746 26 a268 11753 11771 19 a269 11787 11873 87 a270 11873 1190533 a271 11927 11942 16 a272 11946 11973 28 a273 11975 11993 19 a27412019 12114 96 a275 12116 12135 20 a276 12137 12158 22 a277 12165 1219228 a278 12194 12216 23 a279 12218 12246 29 a280 12262 12277 16 a28112283 12319 37 a282 12334 12368 35 a283 12370 12395 26 a284 12397 1243438 a285 12436 12509 74 a286 12511 12543 33 a287 12545 12565 21 a28812567 12675 109 a289 12677 12706 30 a290 12708 12724 17 a291 12753 1276816 a292 12785 12809 25 a293 12830 12859 30 a294 12864 12885 22 a29512886 12916 31 a296 12922 12946 25 a297 12948 12970 23 a298 12983 1300321 a299 13018 13051 34 a300 13070 13090 21 a301 13092 13115 24 a30213117 13134 18 a303 13136 13169 34 a304 13229 13249 21 a305 13295 1332834 a306 13330 13372 43 a307 13388 13406 19 a308 13408 13426 19 a30913437 13453 17 a310 13455 13471 17 a311 13518 13547 30 a312 13565 1359733 a313 13603 13620 18 a314 13630 13663 34 a315 13665 13679 15 a31613706 13725 20 a317 13727 13774 48 a318 13784 13821 38 a319 13831 1387848 a320 13881 13940 60 a321 13959 14013 55 a322 14015 14031 17 a32314034 14049 16 a324 14064 14114 51 a325 14116 14226 111 a326 14229 1427648 a327 14292 14306 15 a328 14313 14384 72 a329 14386 14408 23 a33014462 14481 20 a331 14494 14519 26 a332 14557 14577 21 a333 14608 1462821 a334 14646 14668 23 a335 14680 14767 88 a336 14765 14779 15 a33714815 14844 30 a338 14848 14925 78 a339 14934 14976 43 a340 14978 1500932 a341 15013 15057 45 a342 15064 15091 28 a343 15094 15140 47 a34415149 15165 17 a345 15162 15182 21 a346 15184 15198 15 a347 15200 1522122 a348 15232 15247 16 a349 15250 15271 22 a350 15290 15334 45 a35115336 15369 34 a352 15394 15416 23 a353 15433 15451 19 a354 15453 1549139 a355 15496 15511 16 a356 15520 15553 34 a357 15555 15626 72 a35815634 15652 19 a359 15655 15688 34 a360 15690 15735 46 a361 15734 1576431 a362 15766 15787 22 a363 15803 15819 17 a364 15846 15899 54 a36515901 15934 34 a366 15936 15962 27 a367 15964 15985 22 a368 15987 1602337 a369 16025 16061 37 a370 16102 16122 21 a371 16134 16183 50 a37216185 16281 97 a373 16283 16298 16 a374 16305 16323 19 a375 16325 1635632 a376 16362 16404 43 a377 16406 16456 51 a378 16494 16523 30 a37916536 16562 27 a380 16564 16580 17 a381 16582 16637 56 a382 16631 1664919 a383 16655 16701 47 a384 16737 16781 45 a385 16783 16804 22 a38616832 16907 76 a387 16934 16965 32 a388 16972 17035 64 a389 17039 1706931 a390 17072 17109 38 a391 17135 17150 16 a392 17167 17209 43 a39317211 17242 32 a394 17244 17299 56 a395 17304 17344 41 a396 17346 1740055 a397 17447 17466 20 a398 17474 17539 66 a399 17561 17604 44 a40017610 17663 54 a401 17681 17763 83 a402 17793 17810 18 a403 17812 1785241 a404 17854 17928 75 a405 17941 18005 65 a406 18007 18035 29 a40718041 18077 37 a408 18085 18146 62 a409 18163 18177 15 a410 18179 1820729 a411 18209 18228 20 a412 18230 18266 37 a413 18268 18285 18 a41418287 18351 65 a415 18365 18395 31 a416 18402 18432 31 a417 18434 1845623 a418 18502 18530 29 a419 18545 18590 46 a420 18603 18621 19 a42118623 18645 23 a422 18651 18708 58 a423 18710 18729 20 a424 18731 1875828 a425 18760 18788 29 a426 18799 18859 61 a427 18861 18926 66 a42818928 18980 53 a429 19001 19018 18 a430 19034 19054 21 a431 19070 1909223 a432 19111 19154 44 a433 19191 19213 23 a434 19215 19240 26 a43519255 19356 102 a436 19358 19446 89 a437 19450 19468 19 a438 19470 1951243 a439 19514 19541 28 a440 19543 19568 26 a441 19570 19586 17 a44219588 19619 32 a443 19683 19739 57 a444 19741 19777 37 a445 19779 1982042 a446 19822 19836 15 a447 19838 19911 74 a448 19913 19966 54 a44919968 20026 59

In some embodiment the oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotide sequenceis complementary to a region of the target nucleic acid, wherein thetarget nucleic acid region is selected from the group consisting of a7,a26, a43, a119, a142, a159, a160, a163, a169, a178, a179, a180, a189,a201, a202, a204, a214, a221, a224, a226, a243, a254, a258, 269, a274,a350, a360, a364, a365, a370, a372, a381, a383, a386, a389, a400, a427,a435 and a438.

In a preferred embodiment the oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotidesequence is complementary to a region of the target nucleic acid,wherein the target nucleic acid region is selected from the groupconsisting of a160, a180, a221, a269 and a360.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises orconsists of 8 to 35 nucleotides in length, such as from 9 to 30, such as10 to 22, such as from 11 to 20, such as from 12 to 18, such as from 13to 17 or 14 to 16 contiguous nucleotides in length. In a preferredembodiment, the oligonucleotide comprises or consists of 16 to 20nucleotides in length. It is to be understood that any range givenherein includes the range endpoints. Accordingly, if an oligonucleotideis said to include from 10 to 30 nucleotides, both 10 and 30 nucleotidesare included.

In some embodiments, the contiguous nucleotide sequence comprises orconsists of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 contiguous nucleotides in length. In apreferred embodiment, the oligonucleotide comprises or consists of 16,17, 18, 19 or 20 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotidesequence comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the groupconsisting of sequences listed in table 5.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to asequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 5 to 743 (seemotif sequences listed in table 5).

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to asequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 5 to 743 and771.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to asequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, 8, 9, 13,41, 42, 58, 77, 92, 111, 128, 151, 164, 166, 169, 171, 222, 233, 245,246, 250, 251, 252, 256, 272, 273, 287, 292, 303, 314, 318, 320, 324,336, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 349, 359, 360, 374, 408, 409, 415, 417,424, 429, 430, 458, 464, 466, 474, 490, 493, 512, 519, 519, 529, 533,534, 547, 566, 567, 578, 582, 601, 619, 620, 636, 637, 638, 640, 645,650, 651, 652, 653, 658, 659, 660, 665, 678, 679, 680, 682, 683, 684,687, 694, 706, 716, 728, 733, 734, and 735.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to SEQ IDNO: 287.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to SEQ IDNO: 342.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to SEQ IDNO: 640.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to SEQ IDNO: 466.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of 10 to 30 nucleotides inlength with at least 90% identity, preferably 100% identity, to SEQ IDNO: 566.

In embodiments where the oligonucleotide is longer than the contigiousnucleotide sequence (which is complementary to the target nucleic acid),the motif sequences in table 5 form the contigious nucleotide sequencepart of the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention. In someembodiments the sequence of the oligonucleotide is equivalent to thecontigious nucleotide sequence (e.g. if no biocleavable linkers areadded).

It is understood that the contiguous nucleobase sequences (motifsequence) can be modified to for example increase nuclease resistanceand/or binding affinity to the target nucleic acid. Modifications aredescribed in the definitions and in the “Oligonucleotide design”section. Table 5 lists preferred designs of each motif sequence.

Oligonucleotide Design

Oligonucleotide design refers to the pattern of nucleoside sugarmodifications in the oligonucleotide sequence. The oligonucleotides ofthe invention comprise sugar-modified nucleosides and may also compriseDNA or RNA nucleosides. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotidecomprises sugar-modified nucleosides and DNA nucleosides. Incorporationof modified nucleosides into the oligonucleotide of the invention mayenhance the affinity of the oligonucleotide for the target nucleic acid.In that case, the modified nucleosides can be referred to as affinityenhancing modified nucleotides, the modified nucleosides may also betermed units.

In an embodiment, the oligonucleotide comprises at least 1 modifiednucleoside, such as at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, atleast 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11,at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15 or at least 16modified nucleosides. In an embodiment the oligonucleotide comprisesfrom 1 to 10 modified nucleosides, such as from 2 to 8 modifiednucleosides, such as from 3 to 7 modified nucleosides, such as from 4 to6 modified nucleosides, such as 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 modified nucleosides.

In an embodiment, the oligonucleotide comprises one or more sugarmodified nucleosides, such as 2′ sugar modified nucleosides. Preferablythe oligonucleotide of the invention comprise the one or more 2′ sugarmodified nucleoside independently selected from the group consisting of2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA, 2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA,2′-amino-DNA, 2′-fluoro-DNA, arabino nucleic acid (ANA), 2′-fluoro-ANAand LNA nucleosides. Even more preferably the one or more modifiednucleoside is a locked nucleic acid (LNA).

In a further embodiment the oligonucleotide comprises at least onemodified internucleoside linkage. In a preferred embodiment all theinternucleoside linkages within the contiguous nucleotide sequence arephosphorothioate or boranophosphate internucleoside linkages. In someembodiments all the internucleotide linkages in the contiguous sequenceof the oligonucleotide are phosphorothioate linkages.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises atleast one LNA nucleoside, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 LNAnucleosides, such as from 2 to 6 LNA nucleosides, such as from 3 to 7LNA nucleosides, 4 to 6 LNA nucleosides or 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 LNAnucleosides. In some embodiments, at least 75% of the modifiednucleosides in the oligonucleotide are LNA nucleosides, such as 80%,such as 85%, such as 90% of the modified nucleosides are LNAnucleosides. In a still further embodiment all the modified nucleosidesin the oligonucleotide are LNA nucleosides. In a further embodiment, theoligonucleotide may comprise both beta-D-oxy-LNA, and one or more of thefollowing LNA nucleosides: thio-LNA, amino-LNA, oxy-LNA, and/or ENA ineither the beta-D or alpha-L configurations or combinations thereof. Ina further embodiment, all LNA cytosine units are 5-methyl-cytosine. In apreferred embodiment the oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotidesequence has at least 1 LNA nucleoside at the 5′ end and at least 2 LNAnucleosides at the 3′ end of the nucleotide sequence.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises atleast one modified nucleoside which is a 2′-MOE-RNA nucleoside, such as2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 2′-MOE-RNA nucleosides. In someembodiments, at least one of said modified nucleoside is 2′-fluoro DNA,such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 2′-fluoro-DNA nucleosides.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises atleast one LNA nucleoside and at least one 2′ substituted modifiednucleoside.

In some embodiments of the invention, the oligonucleotide comprise both2′ sugar modified nucleosides and DNA units. Preferably theoligonucleotide comprises both LNA and DNA nucleosides (units).Preferably, the combined total of LNA and DNA units is 8-30, such as10-25, preferably 12-22, such as 12-18, even more preferably 11-16. Insome embodiments of the invention, the nucleotide sequence of theoligonucleotide, such as the contiguous nucleotide sequence consists ofat least one or two LNA nucleosides and the remaining nucleosides areDNA units. In some embodiments the oligonucleotide comprises only LNAnucleosides and naturally occurring nucleosides (such as RNA or DNA,most preferably DNA nucleosides), optionally with modifiedinternucleoside linkages such as phosphorothioate.

In an embodiment of the invention the oligonucleotide of the inventionis capable of recruiting RNase H.

The structural design of the oligonucleotide of the invention may beselected from gapmers, gapbreakers, headmers and tailmers.

Gapmer Design

In a preferred embodiment the oligonucleotide of the invention has agapmer design or structure also referred herein merely as “Gapmer”. In agapmer structure the oligonucleotide comprises at least three distinctstructural regions a 5′-flank, a gap and a 3′-flank, F-G-F′ in ‘5->3’orientation. In this design, flanking regions F and F′ (also termed wingregions) comprise a contiguous stretch of modified nucleosides, whichare complementary to the PD-L1 target nucleic acid, while the gapregion, G, comprises a contiguous stretch of nucleotides which arecapable of recruiting a nuclease, preferably an endonuclease such asRNase, for example RNase H, when the oligonucleotide is in duplex withthe target nucleic acid. Nucleosides which are capable of recruiting anuclease, in particular RNase H, can be selected from the groupconsisting of DNA, alpha-L-oxy-LNA, 2′-Flouro-ANA and UNA. Regions F andF′, flanking the 5′ and 3′ ends of region G, preferably comprisenon-nuclease recruiting nucleosides (nucleosides with a 3′ endostructure), more preferably one or more affinity enhancing modifiednucleosides. In some embodiments, the 3′ flank comprises at least oneLNA nucleoside, preferably at least 2 LNA nucleosides. In someembodiments, the 5′ flank comprises at least one LNA nucleoside. In someembodiments both the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions comprise a LNAnucleoside. In some embodiments all the nucleosides in the flankingregions are LNA nucleosides. In other embodiments, the flanking regionsmay comprise both LNA nucleosides and other nucleosides (mixed flanks),such as DNA nucleosides and/or non-LNA modified nucleosides, such as 2′substituted nucleosides. In this case the gap is defined as a contiguoussequence of at least 5 RNase H recruiting nucleosides (nucleosides witha 2′ endo structure, preferably DNA) flanked at the 5′ and 3′ end by anaffinity enhancing modified nucleoside, preferably LNA, such asbeta-D-oxy-LNA. Consequently, the nucleosides of the 5′ flanking regionand the 3′ flanking region which are adjacent to the gap region aremodified nucleosides, preferably non-nuclease recruiting nucleosides.

Region F

Region F (5′ flank or 5′ wing) attached to the '5 end of region Gcomprises, contains or consists of at least one modified nucleoside suchas at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least7 modified nucleosides. In an embodiment region F comprises or consistsof from 1 to 7 modified nucleosides, such as from 2 to 6 modifiednucleosides, such as from 2 to 5 modified nucleosides, such as from 2 to4 modified nucleosides, such as from 1 to 3 modified nucleosides, suchas 1, 2, 3 or 4 modified nucleosides. The F region is defined by havingat least on modified nucleoside at the 5′ end and at the 3′ end of theregion.

In some embodiments, the modified nucleosides in region F have a 3′ endostructure.

In an embodiment, one or more of the modified nucleosides in region Fare 2′ modified nucleosides. In one embodiment all the nucleosides inRegion F are 2′ modified nucleosides.

In another embodiment region F comprises DNA and/or RNA in addition tothe 2′ modified nucleosides. Flanks comprising DNA and/or RNA arecharacterized by having a 2′ modified nucleoside in the 5′ end and the3′ end (adjacent to the G region) of the F region. In one embodiment theregion F comprise DNA nucleosides, such as from 1 to 3 contiguous DNAnucleosides, such as 1 to 3 or 1 to 2 contiguous DNA nucleosides. TheDNA nucleosides in the flanks should preferably not be able to recruitRNase H. In some embodiments the 2′ modified nucleosides and DNA and/orRNA nucleosides in the F region alternate with 1 to 3 2′ modifiednucleosides and 1 to 3 DNA and/or RNA nucleosides. Such flanks can alsobe termed alternating flanks. The length of the 5′ flank (region F) inoligonucleotides with alternating flanks may be 4 to 10 nucleosides,such as 4 to 8, such as 4 to 6 nucleosides, such as 4, 5, 6 or 7modified nucleosides. In some embodiments only the 5′ flank of theoligonucleotide is alternating. Specific examples of region F withalternating nucleosides are

2′₁₋₃-N′₁₋₄-2′₁₋₃

2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂

Where 2′ indicates a modified nucleoside and N′ is a RNA or DNA. In someembodiments all the modified nucleosides in the alternating flanks areLNA and the N′ is DNA. In a further embodiment one or more of the 2′modified nucleosides in region F are selected from 2′-O-alkyl-RNA units,2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-amino-DNA units, 2′-fluoro-DNA units, 2′-alkoxy-RNA,MOE units, LNA units, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units and 2′-fluoro-ANAunits.

In some embodiments the F region comprises both LNA and a 2′ substitutedmodified nucleoside. These are often termed mixed wing or mixed flankoligonucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention all the modified nucleosides inregion F are LNA nucleosides. In a further embodiment all thenucleosides in Region F are LNA nucleosides. In a further embodiment theLNA nucleosides in region F are independently selected from the groupconsisting of oxy-LNA, thio-LNA, amino-LNA, cET, and/or ENA, in eitherthe beta-D or alpha-L configurations or combinations thereof. In apreferred embodiment region F comprise at least 1 beta-D-oxy LNA unit,at the 5′ end of the contiguous sequence.

Region G

Region G (gap region) preferably comprise, contain or consist of atleast 4, such as at least 5, such as at least 6, at least 7, at least 8,at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least14, at least 15 or at least 16 consecutive nucleosides capable ofrecruiting the aforementioned nuclease, in particular RNaseH. In afurther embodiment region G comprise, contain or consist of from 5 to12, or from 6 to 10 or from 7 to 9, such as 8 consecutive nucleotideunits capable of recruiting aforementioned nuclease.

The nucleoside units in region G, which are capable of recruitingnuclease are in an embodiment selected from the group consisting of DNA,alpha-L-LNA, C4′ alkylated DNA (as described in PCT/EP2009/050349 andVester et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 18 (2008) 2296-2300, bothincorporated herein by reference), arabinose derived nucleosides likeANA and 2′F-ANA (Mangos et al. 2003 J. AM. CHEM. SOC. 125, 654-661), UNA(unlocked nucleic acid) (as described in Fluiter et al., Mol. Biosyst.,2009, 10, 1039 incorporated herein by reference). UNA is unlockednucleic acid, typically where the bond between C2 and C3 of the ribosehas been removed, forming an unlocked “sugar” residue.

In a still further embodiment at least one nucleoside unit in region Gis a DNA nucleoside unit, such as from 1 to 18 DNA units, such as 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 DNA units, preferablyfrom 2 to 17 DNA units, such as from 3 to 16 DNA units, such as from 4to 15 DNA units. such as from 5 to 14 DNA units, such as from 6 to 13DNA units, such as from 7 to 12 DNA units, such as from 8 to 11 DNAunits, more preferably from units 8 to 17 DNA units, or from 9 to 16 DNAunits, 10 to 15 DNA units or 11 to 13 DNA units, such as 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 154, 16, 17 DNA units. In some embodiments, region Gconsists of 100% DNA units.

In further embodiments the region G may consist of a mixture of DNA andother nucleosides capable of mediating RNase H cleavage. Region G mayconsist of at least 50% DNA, more preferably 60%, 70% or 80% DNA, andeven more preferred 90% or 95% DNA.

In a still further embodiment at least one nucleoside unit in region Gis an alpha-L-LNA nucleoside unit, such as at least one alpha-L-LNA,such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 alpha-L-LNA.

In a further embodiment, region G comprises the least one alpha-L-LNA isalpha-L-oxy-LNA. In a further embodiment region G comprises acombination of DNA and alpha-L-LNA nucleoside units.

In some embodiments, nucleosides in region G have a 2′ endo structure.

In some embodiments region G may comprise a gapbreaker nucleoside,leading to a gapbreaker oligonucleotide, which is capable of recruitingRNase H.

Region F′

Region F′ (3′ flank or 3′ wing) attached to the ′3 end of region Gcomprises, contains or consists of at least one modified nucleoside suchas at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least7 modified nucleosides. In an embodiment region F′ comprise or consistof from 1 to 7 modified nucleosides, such as from 2 to 6 modifiednucleoside, such as from 2 to 4 modified nucleosides, such as from 1 to3 modified nucleosides, such as 1, 2, 3 or 4 modified nucleosides. TheF′ region is defined by having at least on modified nucleoside at the 5′end and at the 3′ end of the region.

In some embodiments, the modified nucleosides in region F′ have a 3′endo structure.

In an embodiment, one or more of the modified nucleosides in region F′are 2′ modified nucleosides. In one embodiment all the nucleosides inRegion F′ are 2′ modified nucleosides.

In an embodiment, one or more of the modified nucleosides in region F′are 2′ modified nucleosides.

In one embodiment all the nucleosides in Region F′ are 2′ modifiednucleosides. In another embodiment region F′ comprises DNA or RNA inaddition to the 2′ modified nucleosides. Flanks comprising DNA or RNAare characterized by having a 2′ modified nucleoside in the 5′ end(adjacent to the G region) and the 3′ end of the F′ region. In oneembodiment the region F′ comprises DNA nucleosides, such as from 1 to 4contiguous DNA nucleosides, such as 1 to 3 or 1 to 2 contiguous DNAnucleosides. The DNA nucleosides in the flanks should preferably not beable to recruit RNase H. In some embodiments the 2′ modified nucleosidesand DNA and/or RNA nucleosides in the F′ region alternate with 1 to 3 2′modified nucleosides and 1 to 3 DNA and/or RNA nucleosides, such flankscan also be termed alternating flanks. The length of the 3′ flank(region F′) in oligonucleotides with alternating flanks may be 4 to 10nucleosides, such as 4 to 8, such as 4 to 6 nucleosides, such as 4, 5, 6or 7 modified nucleosides. In some embodiments only the 3′ flank of theoligonucleotide is alternating. Specific examples of region F′ withalternating nucleosides are

2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₄-2′₁₋₄

2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂

Where 2′ indicates a modified nucleoside and N′ is a RNA or DNA. In someembodiments all the modified nucleosides in the alternating flanks areLNA and the N′ is DNA. In a further embodiment modified nucleosides inregion F′ are selected from 2′-O-alkyl-RNA units, 2′-O-methyl-RNA,2′-amino-DNA units, 2′-fluoro-DNA units, 2′-alkoxy-RNA, MOE units, LNAunits, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units and 2′-fluoro-ANA units.

In some embodiments the F′ region comprises both LNA and a 2′substituted modified nucleoside. These are often termed mixed wing ormixed flank oligonucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention all the modified nucleosides inregion F′ are LNA nucleosides. In a further embodiment all thenucleosides in Region F′ are LNA nucleosides. In a further embodimentthe LNA nucleosides in region F′ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of oxy-LNA, thio-LNA, amino-LNA, cET and/or ENA, ineither the beta-D or alpha-L configurations or combinations thereof. Ina preferred embodiment region F′ has at least 2 beta-D-oxy LNA unit, atthe 3′ end of the contiguous sequence.

Region D′ and D″

Region D′ and D″ can be attached to the 5′ end of region F or the 3′ endof region F′, respectively. Region D′ or D″ are optional.

Region D′ or D″ may independently comprise 0 to 5, such as 1 to 5, suchas 2 to 4, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 additional nucleotides, which maybe complementary or non-complementary to the target nucleic acid. Inthis respect the oligonucleotide of the invention, may in someembodiments comprise a contiguous nucleotide sequence capable ofmodulating the target which is flanked at the 5′ and/or 3′ end byadditional nucleotides. Such additional nucleotides may serve as anuclease susceptible biocleavable linker (see definition of linkers). Insome embodiments the additional 5′ and/or 3′ end nucleosides are linkedwith phosphodiester linkages, and may be DNA or RNA. In anotherembodiment, the additional 5′ and/or 3′ end nucleosides are modifiednucleosides which may for example be included to enhance nucleasestability or for ease of synthesis. In one embodiment, theoligonucleotide of the invention, comprises a region D′ and/or D″ at the5′ or 3′ end of the contiguous nucleotide sequence. In a furtherembodiment the D′ and/or D″ region is composed of 1 to 5 phosphodiesterlinked DNA or RNA nucleosides which are not complementary to the targetnucleic acid.

The gapmer oligonucleotide of the present invention can be representedby the following formulae:

5′-F-G-F′-3′; in particular F₁₋₇-G₄₋₁₂-F′₁₋₇

5′-D′-F-G-F′-3′, in particular D′₁₋₃-F₁₋₇-G₄₋₁₂-F′₁₋₇

5′-F-G-F′-D″-3′, in particular F₁₋₇-G₄₋₁₂-F′₁₋₇-D″₁₋₃

5′-D′-F-G-F′-D′-3″, in particular D′₁₋₃-F₁₋₇-G₄₋₁₂-F′₁₋₇-D″₁₋₃

The preferred number and types of nucleosides in regions F, G and F′, D′and D″ have been described above. The oligonucleotide conjugates of thepresent invention have a region C covalently attached to either the 5′or 3′ end of the oligonucleotide, in particular the gapmeroligonucleotides presented above.

In one embodiment the oligonucleotide conjugate of the inventioncomprises a oligonucleotide with the formula 5′-D′-F-G-F′-3′ or5′-F-G-F′-D″-3′, where region F and F′ independently comprise 1-7modified nucleosides, G is a region between 6 and 16 nucleosides whichare capable of recruiting RNaseH and region D′ or D″ comprise 1-5phosphodiester linked nucleosides. Preferably region D′ or D″ is presentin the end of the oligonucleotide where conjugation to a conjugatemoiety is contemplated.

Examples of oligonucleotides with alternating flanks can be representedby the following formulae:

2′₁₋₃-N′₁₋₄-2′₁₋₃-G₆₋₁₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₄-2′₁₋₄

2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-G₆₋₁₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂- N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂

F-G₆₋₁₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₄-2′₁₋₄

F-G₆₋₁₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂

2′₁₋₃-N′₁₋₄-2′₁₋₃-G₆₋₁₂-F′

2′₁₋₂-N′₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-N₁₋₂-2′₁₋₂-G₆₋₁₂-F′

Where a flank is indicated by F or F′ it only contains 2′ modifiednucleosides, such as LNA nucleosides. The preferred number and types ofnucleosides in the alternating regions, and region F, G and F′, D′ andD″ have been described above.

In some embodiments the oligonucleotide is a gapmer consisting of 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 nucleotides in length, wherein each of regions Fand F′ independently consists of 1, 2, 3 or 4 modified nucleoside unitscomplementary to the PD-L1 target nucleic acid and region G consists of8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 nucleoside units, capable ofrecruiting nuclease when in duplex with the PD-L1 target nucleic acidand region D′ consists of 2 phosphodiester linked DNAs.

In a further embodiments, the oligonucleotide is a gapmer wherein eachof regions F and F′ independently consists of 3, 4, 5 or 6 modifiednucleoside units, such as nucleoside units containing a2′-O-methoxyethyl-ribose sugar (2′-MOE) or nucleoside units containing a2′-fluoro-deoxyribose sugar and/or LNA units, and region G consists of8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 nucleoside units, such as DNAunits or other nuclease recruiting nucleosides such as alpha-L-LNA or amixture of DNA and nuclease recruiting nucleosides.

In a further specific embodiment, the oligonucleotide is a gapmerwherein each of regions F and

F′ region consists of two LNA units each, and region G consists of 12,13, 14 nucleoside units, preferably DNA units. Specific gapmer designsof this nature include 2-12-2, 2-13-2 and 2-14-2.

In a further specific embodiment, the oligonucleotide is a gapmerwherein each of regions F and F′ independently consists of three LNAunits, and region G consists of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 nucleosideunits, preferably DNA units. Specific gapmer designs of this natureinclude 3-8-3, 3-9-3 3-10-3, 3-11-3, 3-12-3, 3-13-3 and 3-14-3.

In a further specific embodiment, the oligonucleotide is a gapmerwherein each of regions F and F′ consists of four LNA units each, andregion G consists of 8 or 9, 10, 11 or 12 nucleoside units, preferablyDNA units. Specific gapmer designs of this nature include 4-8-4, 4-9-4,4-10-4, 4-11-4 and 4-12-4.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 6 nucleosides and independently 1to 4 modified nucleosides in the wings including 1-6-1, 1-6-2, 2-6-1,1-6-3, 3-6-1, 1-6-4, 4-6-1, 2-6-2, 2-6-3, 3-6-2 2-6-4, 4-6-2, 3-6-3,3-6-4 and 4-6-3 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 7 nucleosides and independently 1to 4 modified nucleosides in the wings including 1-7-1, 2-7-1, 1-7-2,1-7-3, 3-7-1, 1-7-4, 4-7-1, 2-7-2, 2-7-3, 3-7-2, 2-7-4, 4-7-2, 3-7-3,3-7-4, 4-7-3 and 4-7-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 8 nucleosides and independently 1to 4 modified nucleosides in the wings including 1-8-1, 1-8-2, 1-8-3,3-8-1, 1-8-4, 4-8-1, 2-8-1, 2-8-2, 2-8-3, 3-8-2, 2-8-4, 4-8-2, 3-8-3,3-8-4, 4-8-3 and 4-8-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 9 nucleosides and independently 1to 4 modified nucleosides in the wings including, 1-9-1, 2-9-1, 1-9-2,1-9-3, 3-9-1, 1-9-4, 4-9-1, 2-9-2, 2-9-3, 3-9-2, 2-9-4, 4- 9-2, 3-9-3,3-9-4, 4-9-3 and 4-9-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 10 nucleosides including, 1-10-1,2-10-1, 1-10-2, 1-10-3, 3-10-1, 1-10-4, 4-10-1, 2-10-2, 2-10-3, 3-10-2,2-10-4, 4-10-2, 3-10-3, 3-10-4, 4-10-3 and 4-10-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 11 nucleosides including, 1-11-1,2-11-1, 1-11-2, 1-11-3, 3-11-1, 1-11-4, 4-11-1, 2-11-2, 2-11-3, 3-11-2,2-11-4, 4-11-2, 3-11-3, 3-11-4, 4-11-3 and 4-11-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 12 nucleosides including, 1-12-1,2-12-1, 1-12-2, 1-12-3, 3-12-1, 1-12-4, 4-12-1, 2-12-2, 2-12-3, 3-12-2,2-12-4, 4-12-2, 3-12-3, 3-12-4, 4-12-3 and 4-12-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 13 nucleosides including, 1-13-1,2-13-1, 1-13-2, 1-13-3, 3-13-1, 1-13-4, 4-13-1, 2-13-2, 2-13-3, 3-13-2,2-13-4, 4-13-2, 3-13-3, 3-13-4, 4-13-3 and 4-13-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 14 nucleosides including, 1-14-1,2-14-1, 1-14-2, 1-14-3, 3-14-1, 1-14-4, 4-14-1, 2-14-2, 2-14-3, 3-14-2,2-14-4, 4-14-2, 3-14-3, 3-14-4, 4-14-3 and 4-14-4 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 15 nucleosides including, 1-15-1,2-15-1, 1-15-2, 1-15-3, 3-15-1, 1-15-4, 4-15-1, 2-15-2, 2-15-3, 3-15-2,2-15-4, 4-15-2 and 3-15-3 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 16 nucleosides including, 1-16-1,2-16-1, 1-16-2, 1-16-3, 3-16-1, 1-16-4, 4-16-1, 2-16-2, 2-16-3, 3-16-2,2-16-4, 4-16-2 and 3-16-3 gapmers.

Specific gapmer designs of this nature include F-G-F′ designs selectedfrom a group consisting of a gap with 17 nucleosides including, 1-17-1,2-17-1, 1-17-2, 1-17-3, 3-17-1, 1-17-4, 4-17-1, 2-17-2, 2-17-3 and3-17-2 gapmers.

In all instances the F-G-F′ design may further include region D′ and/orD″, which may have 1, 2 or 3 nucleoside units, such as DNA units, suchas 2 phosphodiester linked DNA units. Preferably, the nucleosides inregion F and F′ are modified nucleosides, while nucleotides in region Gare preferably unmodified nucleosides.

In each design, the preferred modified nucleoside is LNA.

In another embodiment all the internucleoside linkages in the gap in agapmer are phosphorothioate and/or boranophosphate linkages. In anotherembodiment all the internucleoside linkages in the flanks (F and F′region) in a gapmer are phosphorothioate and/or boranophosphatelinkages. In another preferred embodiment all the internucleosidelinkages in the D′ and D″ region in a gapmer are phosphodiesterlinkages.

For specific gapmers as disclosed herein, when the cytosine (C) residuesare annotated as 5-methyl-cytosine, in various embodiments, one or moreof the Cs present in the oligonucleotide may be unmodified C residues.

In a particular embodiment, the gapmer is a so-called shortmer asdescribed in WO2008/113832 incorporated herein by reference.

Further gapmer designs are disclosed in WO2004/046160, WO2007/146511 andincorporated by reference.

For certain embodiments of the invention, the oligonucleotide isselected from the group of oligonucleotide compounds with CMP-ID-NO: 5_1to 743_1 and 771_1.

For certain embodiments of the invention, the oligonucleotide isselected from the group of oligonucleotide compounds with CMP-ID-NO 6_1,8_1, 9_1, 13_1, 41_1, 42_1, 58_1, 77_1, 92_1, 111_1, 128_1, 151_1,164_1, 166_1, 169_1, 171_1, 222_1, 233_1, 245_1, 246_1, 250_1, 251_1,252_1, 256_1, 272_1, 273_1, 287_1, 292_1, 303_1, 314_1, 318_1, 320_1,324_1, 336_1, 342_1, 343_1, 3 45_4_1,34 46_1, 349_1, 359_1, 360_1,374_1, 408_1, 409_1, 415_1, 417_1, 424_1, 429_1, 430_1, 458_1, 464_1,466_1, 474_1, 490_1, 493_1, 512_1,519_1, 519_1, 529_1, 533_1, 534_1,547_1, 566_1, 567_1, 578_1, 582_1, 601_1, 619_1, 620_1, 636_1, 637_1,638_1, 640_1, 645_1, 650_1, 651_1, 652_1, 653_1, 658_1, 659_1, 660_1,665_1, 678_1, 679_1, 680_1, 682_1, 683_1, 684_1, 687_1, 694_1, 706_1,716_1, 728_1, 733_1, 734_1, and 735_1.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the oligonucleotide isCMP-ID-NO: 287_1.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the oligonucleotide isCMP-ID-NO: 342_1.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the oligonucleotide isCMP-ID-NO: 640_1.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the oligonucleotide isCMP-ID-NO: 466_1.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the oligonucleotide isCMP-ID-NO: 566_1.

In a further embodiment of the invention the contiguous nucleotidesequence of the oligonucleotide motifs and oligonucleotide compounds ofthe invention comprise two to four additional phosphodiester linkednucleosides at the 5′ end of the contiguous nucleotide sequence (e.g.region D′). In one embodiment the nucleosides serve as a biocleavablelinker (see sectionon biocleavable linkers). In a preferred embodiment aca (cytidine-adenosine) dinucleotide is linked to the 5′ end ofcontiguous nucleotide sequence (i.e. any one of the motif sequences oroligonucleotide compounds listed in table 5) via a phosphodiesterlinkage. In a preferred emboduiment the ca di nucleotide is notcomplementary to the target sequence at the position where the reminderof the contigious nucleotide is complementary.

In some embodiments of the invention the oligonucleotide or contiguousnucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of thenucleotide motif sequences with SEQ ID NO: 766, 767, 768, 769 and 770.

In some embodiments of the invention the oligonucleotide is selectedfrom the group consisting of the oligonucleotide compounds withCMP-ID-NO 766_1, 767_1, 768_1, 769_1 and 770_1.

Carbohydrate Conjugate Moieties

Carbohydrate conjugate moieties include but are not limited togalactose, lactose, n-acetylgalactosamine, mannose andmannose-6-phosphate. Carbohydrate conjugates may be used to enhancedelivery or activity in a range of tissues, such as liver and/or muscle.See, for example, EP1495769, WO99/65925, Yang et al., Bioconjug Chem(2009) 20(2): 213-21. Zatsepin & Oretskaya Chem Biodivers. (2004) 1(10):1401-17.

In some embodiments the carbohydrate conjugate moiety is multivalent,such as, for example 2, 3 or 4 identical or non-identical carbohydratemoieties may be covalently joined to the oligonucleotide, optionally viaa linker or linkers. In some embodiments the invention provides aconjugate comprising the oligonucleotide of the invention and acarbohydrate conjugate moiety.

In some embodiments, the conjugate moiety is or may comprise mannose ormannose-6-phosphate. This is particular useful for targeting musclecells, see for example US 2012/122801.

Conjugate moieties capable of binding to the asialoglycoprotein receptor(ASGPr) are particular useful for targeting hepatocytes in liver. Insome embodiments the invention provides a oligonucleotide conjugatecomprising the oligonucleotide of the invention and anasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety. Theasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety comprises one ormore carbohydrate moieties capable of binding to the asialoglycoproteinreceptor (ASPGr binding carbohydrate moieties) with affinity equal to orgreater than that of galactose. The affinities of numerous galactosederivatives for the asialoglycoprotein receptor have been studied (seefor example: Jobst, S. T. and Drickamer, K. JB. C. 1996, 271, 6686) orare readily determined using methods typical in the art.

One aspect of the present invention is an antisense oligonucleotideconjugate comprising a) an oligonucleotide (Region A) comprising acontiguous nucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotides in length with atleast 90% complementarity to a PD-L1 target nucleic acid; and b) atleast one asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety (RegionC) covalently attached to the oligonucleotide in a). The oligonucleotideor a contiguous nucleotide sequence can be as described in any of thesections “oligonucleotides of the invention”, “oligonucleotide designand “gapmer design”.

In some embodiments asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugatemoiety comprises at least one ASPGr binding carbohydrate moiety selectedfrom the group consisting of galactose, galactosamine,N-formyl-galactosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine,N-propionyl-galactosamine, N-n-butanoyl-galactosamine andN-isobutanoylgalactosamine. In some embodiments, the asialoglycoproteinreceptor targeting conjugate moiety is mono-valent, di-valent,tri-valent or tetra-valent (i.e. containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 terminalcarbohydrate moieties capable of binding to the asialoglycoproteinreceptor). Preferably, the asialoglycoprotein receptor targetingconjugate moiety is di-valent, even more preferred it is trivalent. In apreferred embodiment the asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugatemoiety comprises 1 to 3 N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moieties (alsotermed a GalNAc conjugate). In some embodiments the oligonucleotideconjugate comprises a asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugatemoiety that is a tri-valent N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety.GalNAc conjugates have been used with phosphodiester, methylphosphonateand PNA antisense oligonucleotides (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,517 andHangeland et al., Bioconjug Chem. 1995 November-December; 6(6):695-701,Biessen et al 1999 Biochem J. 340, 783-792 and Maier et al 2003Bioconjug Chem 14, 18-29) and siRNAs (e.g. WO 2009/126933, WO2012/089352 & WO 2012/083046) and with LNA and 2′-MOE modifiednucleosides WO 2014/076196 WO 2014/207232 and WO 2014/179620 (herebyincorporated by reference).

To generate the asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moietythe ASPGr binding carbohydrate moieties (preferably GalNAc) are attachedto a brancher molecule through the C-I carbons of the saccharides. TheASPGr binding carbohydrate moieties are preferably linked to thebrancher molecule via spacers. A preferred spacer is a flexiblehydrophilic spacer (U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,968; Biessen et al. J. Med.Chern. 1995 Vol. 39 p. 1538-1546). A preferred flexible hydrophilicspacer is a PEG spacer. A preferred PEG spacer is a PEG3 spacer (threeethylene units). The brancher molecule can be any small molecule whichpermits attachment of two or three terminal ASPGr binding carbohydratemoieties and further permits attachment of the branch point to theoligonucleotide. An exemplary brancher molecule is a di-lysine. Adi-lysine molecule contains three amine groups through which three ASPGrbinding carbohydrate moieties may be attached and a carboxyl reactivegroup through which the di-lysine may be attached to theoligonucleotide. Alternative brancher molecules may be a doubler ortrebler such as those supplied by Glen Research. In some embodiments thebrancher may be selected from the from the group consisting of1,3-bis-[5-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityloxy)pentylamido]propyl-2-[(2-cyanoethyl)-(N,N-diisopropyl)]phosphoramidite (Glen Research Catalogue Number: 10-1920-xx),tris-2,2,2-[3-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityloxy)propyloxymethyl]ethyl-[(2-cyanoethyl)-(N,N-diisopropyl)]-phosphoramidite(Glen Research Catalogue Number: 10-1922-xx),tris-2,2,2-[3-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityloxy)propyloxymethyl]methyleneoxpropyl-[(2-cyanoethyl)-(N,N-diisopropyl)]-phosphoramiditeand1-[5-(4,4′-dimethoxy-trityloxy)pentylamido]-3-[5-fluorenomethoxy-carbonyl-oxy-pentylamido]-propyl-2-[(2-cyanoethyl)-(N,N-diisopropyl)]-phosphoramidite(Glen Research Catalogue Number: 10-1925-xx). WO 2014/179620 and PCTapplication No. PCT/EP2015/073331 describes the generation of variousGalNAc conjugate moieties (hereby incorporated by reference). One ormore linkers may be inserted between the brancher molecule and theoligonucleotide. In a preferred embodiment the linker is a biocleavablelinker. The linker may be selected from the linkers described in thesection “Linkers” and its subsections.

The asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety, inparticular the GalNAc conjugate moiety, may be attached to the 3′- or5′-end of the oligonucleotide using methods known in the art. Inpreferred embodiments the asialoglycoprotein receptor targetingconjugate moiety is linked to the 5′-end of the oligonucleotide.

Pharmacokinetic modulators in relation to siRNAs delivery has beendescribed in WO 2012/083046 (hereby incorporated by reference). In someembodiments the carbohydrate conjugate moiety comprises apharmacokinetic modulator selected from the group consisting of ahydrophobic group having 16 or more carbon atoms, hydrophobic grouphaving 16-20 carbon atoms, palmitoyl, hexadec-8-enoyl, oleyl,(9E,12E)-octadeca-9,12dienoyl, dioctanoyl, and C16-C20 acyl, andcholesterol. In a preferred embodiment the pharmacokinetic modulatorcontaining carbohydrate conjugate moiety is a GalNAc conjugate.

Preferred carbohydrate conjugate moieties comprises one to threeterminal ASPGr binding carbohydrate moieties, preferablyN-acetylgalactosamine moiety(s). In some embodiments the carbohydrateconjugate moiety comprises three ASPGr binding carbohydrate moieties,preferably N-acetylgalactosamine moieties, linked via a spacer to abrancher molecule. The spacer molecule can be between 8 and 30 atomslong. A preferred carbohydrate conjugate moiety comprises three terminalGalNAc moieties linked via a PEG spacer to a di-lysine branchermolecule. Preferably the PEG spacer is a 3PEG spacer. Suitableasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moieties are shown inFIG. 1. A preferred asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugatemoiety is shown in FIG. 3.

Other GalNAc conjugate moieties can include, for example, small peptideswith GalNAc moieties attached such as Tyr-Glu-Glu-(aminohexyl GalNAc)3(YEE(ahGalNAc)3; a glycotripeptide that binds to asialoglycoproteinreceptor on hepatocytes, see, e.g., Duff, et al., Methods Enzymol, 2000,313, 297); lysine-based galactose clusters (e.g., L3G4; Biessen, et al.,Cardovasc. Med., 1999, 214); and cholane-based galactose clusters (e.g.,carbohydrate recognition motif for asialoglycoprotein receptor).

In some embodiments of the invention the antisense oligonucleotideconjugate is selected from the group consisting of the following CPM IDNO: 766_2, 767_2, 768_2, 769_2 and 770_2.

In a preferred embodiment the antisense oligonucleotide conjugatecorresponds to the compound represented in FIG. 4.

In another preferred embodiment the antisense oligonucleotide conjugatecorresponds to the compound represented in FIG. 5.

In another preferred embodiment the antisense oligonucleotide conjugatecorresponds to the compound represented in FIG. 6.

In another preferred embodiment the antisense oligonucleotide conjugatecorresponds to the compound represented in FIG. 7.

In another preferred embodiment the antisense oligonucleotide conjugatecorresponds to the compound represented in FIG. 8.

Linkers

Biocleavable Linkers (Region B)

The use of a conjugate is often associated with enhanced pharmacokineticor pharmeodynamic dynamic properties. However, the presence of aconjugate moiety may interfere with the activity of the oligonucleotideagainst its intended target, for example via steric hindrance preventinghybridization or nuclease recruitment (e.g. RNAseH). The use of aphysiologically labile bond (biocleavable linker) between theoligonucleotide (region A or first region) and the conjugate moiety(region C or third region), allows for the improved properties due tothe presence of the conjugate moiety, whilst ensuring that once at thetarget tissue, the conjugate group does not prevent effective activityof the oligonucleotide.

Cleavage of the physiologically labile bond occurs spontaneously when amolecule containing the labile bond reaches an appropriate intra-and/orextra-cellular environment. For example, a pH labile bond may be cleavedwhen the molecule enters an acidified endosome. Thus, a pH labile bondmay be considered to be an endosomal cleavable bond. Enzyme cleavablebonds may be cleaved when exposed to enzymes such as those present in anendosome or lysosome or in the cytoplasm. A disulfide bond may becleaved when the molecule enters the more reducing environment of thecell cytoplasm. Thus, a disulfide may be considered to be a cytoplasmiccleavable bond. As used herein, a pH-labile bond is a labile bond thatis selectively broken under acidic conditions (pH<7). Such bonds mayalso be termed endosomally labile bonds, since cell endosomes andlysosomes have a pH less than 7.

For biocleavable linkers associated with a conjugate moiety for targeteddelivery it is preferred that, the cleavage rate seen in the targettissue (for example muscle, liver, kidney or a tumor) is greater thanthat found in blood serum. Suitable methods for determining the level(%) of cleavage in target tissue versus serum or cleavage by 51 nucleaseare described in the “Materials and methods” section. In someembodiments, the biocleavable linker (also referred to as thephysiologically labile linker, or nuclease susceptible linker or regionB), in a conjugate of the invention, is at least about 20% cleaved, suchas at least about 30% cleaved, such as at least about 40% cleaved, suchas at least about 50% cleaved, such as at least about 60% cleaved, suchas at least about 70% cleaved, such as at least about 75% cleaved whencompared against a standard.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide conjugate of the inventioncomprises three regions: i) a first region (region A), which comprises10-25 contiguous nucleotides complementary to the target nucleic acid;ii) a second region (region B) which comprises a biocleavable linker andiii) a third region (region C) which comprises a conjugate moiety, suchas an asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety, whereinthe third region is covalent linked to the second region which iscovalently linked to the first region.

In one embodiment of the present invention the oligonucleotide conjugatecomprises a biocleavable linker (Region B) between the contiguousnucleotide sequence (region A) and the asialoglycoprotein receptortargeting conjugate moiety (region C).

In some embodiments, the biocleavable linker may be situated either atthe 5′ end and/or the 3′-end of the contiguous nucleotides complementaryto the target nucleic acid (region A). In a preferred embodiment thebiocleavable linker is at the 5′-end.

In some embodiments, the cleavable linker is susceptible to nuclease(s)which may for example, be expressed in the target cell. In someembodiments the biocleavable linker is composed of 2 to 5 consecutivephosphodiester linkages. The linker may be a short region (e.g. 1-10 asdetailed in the definition of linkers) phosphodiester linkednucleosides. In some embodiments, the nucleosides in the biocleavablelinker region B is (optionally independently) selected from the groupconsisting of DNA and RNA or modifications thereof which do notinterfere with nuclease cleavage. Modifications of DNA and RNAnucleosides which do not interfere with nuclease cleavage may benon-naturally occurring nucleobases. Certain sugar-modified nucleosidesmay also allow nuclease cleavage such as an alpha-L-oxy-LNA. In someembodiments, all the nucleosides of region B comprise (optionallyindependently) either a 2′-OH ribose sugar (RNA) or a 2′-H sugar—i.e.RNA or DNA. In a preferred embodiment, at least two consecutivenucleosides of region B are DNA or RNA nucleosides (such as at least 3or 4 or 5 consecutive DNA or RNA nucleosides). In an even more preferredembodiment, the nucleosides of region B are DNA nucleosides Preferablyregion B consists of between 1 to 5, or 1 to 4, such as 2, 3, 4consecutive phosphodiester linked DNA nucleosides. In preferredembodiments region B is so short that it does not recruit RNAseH. Insome embodiments, region B comprises no more than 3 or no more than 4consecutive phospodiester linked DNA and/or RNA nucleosides (such as DNAnucleosides).

Where region B is composed of phosphodiester linked nucleosides, regionA and B may together form the oligonucleotide that is linked to regionC. In this context region A can be differentiated from region B in thatRegion A starts with at least one, preferably at least two, modifiednucleosides with increased binding affinity to the target nucleic acid(e.g. LNA or nucleosides with a 2′ substituted sugar moiety) and regionA on its own is capable of modulation of the expression the targetnucleic acid in a relevant cell line. Furthermore, if region A comprisesDNA or RNA nucleosides these are linked with nuclease resistantinternucleoside linkage, such phosphorothioate or boranophosphate.Region B on the other hand comprises phophodiester linkages between DNAor RNA nucleosides. In some embodiments region B is not complementary toor comprises at least 50% mismatches to the target nucleic acid.

In some embodiments, region B is not complementary to the target nucleicacid sequence or to the contiguous nucleotides complementary to thetarget nucleic acid in region A.

In some embodiments, region B is complementary with the target nucleicacid sequence. In this respect region A and B together may form a singlecontiguous sequence which is complementary to the target sequence.

In some aspects of the invention the internucleoside linkage between thefirst (region A) and the second region (region B) may be considered partof the second region.

In some embodiments, the sequence of bases in region B is selected toprovide an optimal endonuclease cleavage site, based upon thepredominant endonuclease cleavage enzymes present in the target tissueor cell or sub-cellular compartment. In this respect, by isolating cellextracts from target tissues and non-target tissues, endonucleasecleavage sequences for use in region B may be selected based upon apreferential cleavage activity in the desired target cell (e.g.liver/hepatocytes) as compared to a non-target cell (e.g. kidney). Inthis respect, the potency of the compound for target down-regulation maybe optimized for the desired tissue/cell.

In some embodiments region B comprises a dinucleotide of sequence AA,AT, AC, AG, TA, TT, TC, TG, CA, CT, CC, CG, GA, GT, GC, or GG, wherein Cmay be 5-methylcytosine, and/or T may be replaced with U. Preferably,the internucleoside linkage is a phosphodiester linkage. In someembodiments region B comprises a trinucleotide of sequence AAA, AAT,AAC, AAG, ATA, ATT, ATC, ATG, ACA, ACT, ACC, ACG, AGA, AGT, AGC, AGG,TAA, TAT, TAC, TAG, TTA, TTT, TTC, TAG, TCA, TCT, TCC, TCG, TGA, TGT,TGC, TGG, CAA, CAT, CAC, CAG, CTA, CTG, CTC, CTT, CCA, CCT, CCC, CCG,CGA, CGT, CGC, CGG, GAA, GAT, GAC, CAG, GTA, GTT, GTC, GTG, GCA, GCT,GCC, GCG, GGA, GGT, GGC, and GGG wherein C may be 5-methylcytosineand/or T may be replaced with U. Preferably, the internucleosidelinkages are phosphodiester linkages. In some embodiments region Bcomprises a trinucleotide of sequence AAAX, AATX, AACX, AAGX, ATAX,ATTX, ATCX, ATGX, ACAX, ACTX, ACCX, ACGX, AGAX, AGTX, AGCX, AGGX, TAAX,TATX, TACX, TAGX, TTAX, TTTX, TTCX, TAGX, TCAX, TCTX, TCCX, TCGX, TGAX,TGTX, TGCX, TGGX, CAAX, CATX, CACX, CAGX, CTAX, CTGX, CTCX, CTTX, CCAX,CCTX, CCCX, CCGX, CGAX, CGTX, CGCX, CGGX, GAAX, GATX, GACX, CAGX, GTAX,GTTX, GTCX, GTGX, GCAX, GCTX, GCCX, GCGX, GGAX, GGTX, GGCX, and GGGX,wherein X may be selected from the group consisting of A, T, U, G, C andanalogues thereof, wherein C may be 5-methylcytosine and/or T may bereplaced with U. Preferably, the internucleoside linkages arephosphodiester linkages. It will be recognized that when referring to(naturally occurring) nucleobases A, T, U, G, C, these may besubstituted with nucleobase analogues which function as the equivalentnatural nucleobase (e.g. base pair with the complementary nucleoside).

Other Linkers (Region Y)

The linker can have at least two functionalities, one for attaching tothe oligonucleotide and the other for attaching to the conjugate moiety.Example linker functionalities can be electrophilic for reacting withnucleophilic groups on the oligonucleotide or conjugate moiety, ornucleophilic for reacting with electrophilic groups. In someembodiments, linker functionalities include amino, hydroxyl, carboxylicacid, thiol, phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate, phosphate, phosphite,unsaturations (e.g., double or triple bonds), and the like. Some examplelinkers (region Y) include 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO),succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-I-carboxylate (SMCC),6-aminohexanoic acid (AHEX or AHA), 6-aminohexyloxy, 4-aminobutyricacid, 4-aminocyclohexylcarboxylic acid, succinimidyl4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-I-carboxy-(6-amido-caproate) (LCSMCC),succinimidyl m-maleimido-benzoylate (MBS), succinimidylN-e-maleimido-caproylate (EMCS), succinimidyl6-(beta-maleimido-propionamido) hexanoate (SMPH), succinimidylN-(a-maleimido acetate) (AMAS), succinimidyl4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (SMPB), beta -alanine (beta -ALA),phenylglycine (PHG), 4-aminocyclohexanoic acid (ACHC), beta-(cyclopropyl) alanine (beta -CYPR), amino dodecanoic acid (ADC),alylene diols, polyethylene glycols, amino acids, and the like. In someembodiments the linker (region Y) is an amino alkyl, such as a C2-C36amino alkyl group, including, for example C6 to C12 amino alkyl groups.In a preferred embodiment the linker (region Y) is a C6 amino alkylgroup. The amino alkyl group may be added to the oligonucleotide (regionA or region A-B) as part of standard oligonucleotide synthesis, forexample using a (e.g. protected) amino alkyl phosphoramidite. Thelinkage group between the amino alkyl and the oligonucleotide may forexample be a phosphorothioate or a phosphodiester, or one of the othernucleoside linkage groups referred to herein. The amino alkyl group iscovalently linked to the 5′ or 3′-end of the oligonucleotide.Commercially available amino alkyl linkers are for example3′-Amino-Modifier reagent for linkage at the 3′-end of theoligonucleotide and for linkage at the 5′-end of an oligonucleotide5′-Amino-Modifier C6 is available. These reagents are available fromGlen Research Corporation (Sterling, Va.). These compounds or similarones were utilized by Krieg, et al, Antisense Research and Development1991, 1, 161 to link fluorescein to the 5′-terminus of anoligonucleotide. A wide variety of further linker groups are known inthe art and can be useful in the attachment of conjugate moieties tooligonucleotides. A review of many of the useful linker groups can befound in, for example, Antisense Research and Applications, S. T. Crookeand B. Lebleu, Eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1993, p. 303-350.Other compounds such as acridine have been attached to the 3′-terminalphosphate group of an oligonucleotide via a polymethylene linkage(Asseline, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1984, 81, 3297). Any ofthe above groups can be used as a single linker (region Y) or incombination with one or more further linkers (region Y-Y′ or region Y-Bor B-Y).

Linkers and their use in preparation of conjugates of oligonucleotidesare provided throughout the art such as in WO 96/11205 and WO 98/52614and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,948,882; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730;5,552,538; 5,580,731; 5,486,603; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,667,025;5,254,469; 5,245,022; 5,112,963; 5,391,723; 5,510475; 5,512,667;5,574,142; 5,684,142; 5,770,716; 6,096,875; 6,335,432; and 6,335,437, WO2012/083046 each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Method of Manufacture

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for manufacturingthe oligonucleotides of the invention comprising reacting nucleotideunits and thereby forming covalently linked contiguous nucleotide unitscomprised in the oligonucleotide. Preferably, the method usesphophoramidite chemistry (see for example Caruthers et al, 1987, Methodsin Enzymology vol. 154, pages 287-313). In a further embodiment themethod further comprises reacting the contiguous nucleotide sequencewith a conjugating moiety (ligand). In a further aspect a method isprovided for manufacturing the composition of the invention, comprisingmixing the oligonucleotide or conjugated oligonucleotide of theinvention with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, solvent, carrier,salt and/or adjuvant.

Pharmaceutical Composition

In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising any of the aforementioned oligonucleotides and/oroligonucleotide conjugates and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent,solvent, carrier, salt and/or adjuvant. A pharmaceutically acceptablediluent includes phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts include, but are not limited to, sodium and potassiumsalts. In some embodiments the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent issterile phosphate buffered saline. In some embodiments theoligonucleotide is used in the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent at aconcentration of 50-300 μM solution.

Suitable formulations for use in the present invention are found inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company,Philadelphia, Pa., 17th ed., 1985. For a brief review of methods fordrug delivery, see, e.g., Langer (Science 249:1527-1533, 1990). WO2007/031091 provides further suitable and preferred examples ofpharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers and adjuvants (herebyincorporated by reference). Suitable dosages, formulations,administration routes, compositions, dosage forms, combinations withother therapeutic agents, pro-drug formulations are also provided inWO2007/031091.

Oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of the invention may bemixed with pharmaceutically acceptable active or inert substances forthe preparation of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations.Compositions and methods for the formulation of pharmaceuticalcompositions are dependent upon a number of criteria, including, but notlimited to, route of administration, extent of disease, or dose to beadministered.

These compositions may be sterilized by conventional sterilizationtechniques, or may be sterile filtered. The resulting aqueous solutionsmay be packaged for use as is, or lyophilized, the lyophilizedpreparation being combined with a sterile aqueous carrier prior toadministration. The pH of the preparations typically will be between 3and 11, more preferably between 5 and 9 or between 6 and 8, and mostpreferably between 7 and 8, such as 7 to 7.5. The resulting compositionsin solid form may be packaged in multiple single dose units, eachcontaining a fixed amount of the above-mentioned agent or agents, suchas in a sealed package of tablets or capsules. The composition in solidform can also be packaged in a container for a flexible quantity, suchas in a squeezable tube designed for a topically applicable cream orointment.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugate ofthe invention is a prodrug. In particular with respect tooligonucleotide conjugates the conjugate moiety is cleaved of theoligonucleotide once the prodrug is delivered to the site of action,e.g. the target cell.

Applications

The oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of the presentinvention may be utilized as research reagents for, for example,diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylaxis.

In research, such oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates may beused to specifically modulate the synthesis of PD-L1 protein in cells(e.g. in vitro cell cultures) and experimental animals therebyfacilitating functional analysis of the target or an appraisal of itsusefulness as a target for therapeutic intervention. Typically thetarget modulation is achieved by degrading or inhibiting the mRNAproducing the protein, thereby prevent protein formation or by degradingor inhibiting a modulator of the gene or mRNA producing the protein.

If employing the oligonucleotide of the invention in research ordiagnostics the target nucleic acid may be a cDNA or a synthetic nucleicacid derived from DNA or RNA.

The present invention provides an in vivo or in vitro method formodulating PD-L1 expression in a target cell which is expressing PD-L1,said method comprising administering an oligonucleotide oroligonucleotide conjugate of the invention in an effective amount tosaid cell.

In some embodiments, the target cell, is a mammalian cell in particulara human cell. The target cell may be an in vitro cell culture or an invivo cell forming part of a tissue in a mammal. In preferred embodimentsthe target cell is present in the liver. Liver target cell can beselected from parenchymal cells (e.g. hepatocytes) and non-parenchymalcells such as Kupffer cells, LSECs, stellate cells (or Ito cells),cholangiocytes and liver-associated leukocytes (including T cells and NKcells). In some embodiments the target cell is an antigen-presentingcell. Antigen-presenting cells displays foreign antigens complexed withmajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class II on theirsurfaces. In some embodiments the antigen-presenting cell expresses MHCclass II (i.e. professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendriticcells, macrophages and B cells).

In diagnostics the oligonucleotides may be used to detect and quantitatePD-L1 expression in cell and tissues by northern blotting, in-situhybridisation or similar techniques.

For therapeutics oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of thepresent invention or pharmaceutical compositions thereof may beadministered to an animal or a human, suspected of having a disease ordisorder, which can be alleviated or treated by reduction of theexpression of PD-L1, in particular by reduction of the expression ofPD-L1 in liver target cells.

The invention provides methods for treating or preventing a disease,comprising administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effectiveamount of an oligonucleotide, an oligonucleotide conjugate or apharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject suffering fromor susceptible to the disease.

The invention also relates to an oligonucleotide, oligonucleotideconjugate or a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention foruse as a medicament.

The oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate or a pharmaceuticalcomposition according to the invention is typically administered in aneffective amount.

The invention also provides for the use of the oligonucleotide oroligonucleotide conjugate or pharmaceutical composition of the inventionas described for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of adisease or disorder as referred to herein. In one embodiment the diseaseis selected from a) viral liver infections such as HBV, HCV and HDV; b)parasite infections such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis andtrypanosomiasis and c) liver cancer or metastases in the liver.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to oligonucleotides,oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceutical compositions for use in thetreatment of diseases or disorders selected from viral or parasiticinfections. In a further embodiment the disease is selected from a)viral liver infections such as HBV, HCV and HDV; b) parasite infectionssuch as malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis and c)liver cancer or metastases in the liver.

The disease or disorder, as referred to herein, is associated withimmune exhaustion. In particular the disease or disorder is associatedwith exhaustion of virus-specific T-cell responses. In some embodimentsdisease or disorder may be alleviated or treated by reduction of PD-L1expression.

The methods of the invention are preferably employed for treatment orprophylaxis against diseases associated with immune exhaustion.

In one embodiment of the invention the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotideconjugate or pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are used inrestoration of immune response against a liver cancer or metastases inthe liver.

In one embodiment of the invention the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotideconjugate or pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are used inrestoration of immune response against a pathogen. In some embodimentsthe pathogen can be found in the liver. The pathogens can be a virus ora parasite, in particular those described herein. In a preferredembodiment the pathogen is HBV.

The invention further relates to use of an oligonucleotide,oligonucleotide conjugate or a pharmaceutical composition as definedherein for the manufacture of a medicament for the restoration ofimmunity against a viral or parasite infection as mentioned herein.

Oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention can be used in the treatment ofviral infections, in particular viral infections in the liver where thePD-1 patheway is affected (see for example Kapoor and Kottilil 2014Future Virol Vol. 9 pp. 565-585 and Salem and El-Badawy 2015 World JHepatol Vol. 7 pp. 2449-2458). Viral liver infections can be selectedfrom the group consisting of hepatitis viruses, in particular HBV, HCVand HDV, in particular chronic forms of these infections. In oneembodiment the oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates orpharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are used to treatHBV, in particular chronic HBV. Indicators of chronic HBV infections arehigh levels of viral load (HBV DNA) and even higher levels of emptyHBsAg particles (>100-fold in excess of virions) in the circulation.

Oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of the present inventioncan also be used to treat viral liver infections that occur asco-infections with HIV. Other viral infections which can be treated withthe oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention are lcmv (LymphocyticChoriomeningitis Virus), and HIV as a mono infection, HSV-1 and -2, andother herpesviruses. These viruses are not hepatotrophic, however theymay be sensitive to PDL1 down regulation.

In some embodiments the restoration of immunity or immune responseinvolves improvement of the T-cell and/or NK cell response and/oralleviation of the T-cell exhaustion, in particular the HBV-specificT-cell response, the HCV-specific T-cell response and or theHDV-specific T-cell response is restored. An improvement of the T cellresponse can for example be assessed as an increase in T cells in theliver, in particular an increase in CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells whencompared to a control (e.g. the level prior to treatment or the level ina vehicle treated subject) In a further embodiment it is the virusspecific CD8+ T cells that are restored or increased when compared tocotrol), in particular HBV specific CD8+ T cells or HCV specific CD8+ Tcells or HDV specific CD8+ T cells are restored or increased whencompared to control. In a preferred embodiment CD8+ T cells specific forHBV s antigen (HBsAg) and/or CD8+ T cells specific for HBV e antigen(HBeAg) and/or CD8+ T cells specific for HBV core antigen (HBcAg) areincreased in subjects treated with an oligonucleotide, oligonucleotideconjugate or pharmaceutical composition of the present inventioncompared to control. Preferably the HBV antigen specific CD8+ T cellsproduce one or more cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) or tumornecrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The increase in CD8+ T cells describedabove is in particular observed in the liver. The increase describedherein should be statistically significant when compared to a control.Preferably the increase is at least 20%, such as 25%, such as 50% suchas 75% when compared to control. In another embodiment natural killer(NK) cells and/or natural killer T (NKT) cells are activated by theoligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of the present invention.

Oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention can be used in the treatmentparasite infections, in particular parasite infections where the PD-1pathway is affected (see for example Bhadra et al. 2012 J Infect Dis vol206 pp. 125-134; Bhadra et al. 2011 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA Vol. 108 pp.9196-9201; Esch et al. J Immunol vol 191 pp 5542-5550; Freeman andSharpe 2012 Nat Immunol Vol 13 pp. 113-115; Gutierrez et al. 2011 InfectImmun Vol 79 pp. 1873-1881; Joshi et al. 2009 PLoS Pathog Vol 5e1000431; Liang et al. 2006 Eur J Immunol Vol. 36 pp 58-64; Wykes et al.2014 Front Microbiol Vol 5 pp 249). Parasite infections can be selectedfrom the group consisting of malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis andtrypanosomiasis. Malaria infection is caused by protozoa of the genusPlasmodium, in particular of the species P. vivax, P. malariae and P.falciparum. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasmagondii. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of thegenus Leishmania. Trypanosomiasis is caused by the protozoan of thegenus Trypanosoma. Chaga disease which is the tropical form caused bythe species Trypanosoma cruzi, and sleeping disease is caused by thespecies Trypanosoma brucei.

In some embodiments the restoration of immunity involves restoration ofa parasite-specific T cell and NK cell response, in particular aPlasmodium-specific T-cell response, a Toxoplasma gondii-specific T-celland NK cell response, a Leishmania-specific T-cell and NK cell response,a Trypanosoma cruzi-specific T-cell and NK cell response or aTrypanosoma brucei-specific T-cell and NK cell response. In a furtherembodiment it is the parasite-specific CD8+ T cell and NK cell responsethat is restored.

Administration

The oligonucleotides or pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention may be administered topical (such as, to the skin, inhalation,ophthalmic or otic) or enteral (such as, orally or through thegastrointestinal tract) or parenteral (such as, intravenous,subcutaneous, intra-muscular, intracerebral, intracerebroventricular orintrathecal).

In a preferred embodiment the oligonucleotide or pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention are administered by a parenteralroute including intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous,intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion, intrathecal orintracranial, e.g. intracerebral or intraventricular, intravitrealadministration. In one embodiment the active oligonucleotide oroligonucleotide conjugate is administered intravenously. In anotherembodiment the active oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugate isadministered subcutaneously.

In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate orpharmaceutical composition of the invention is administered at a dose of0.1-15 mg/kg, such as from 0.1-10 mg/kg, such as from 0.2-10 mg/kg, suchas from 0.25-10 mg/kg, such as from 0.1-5 mg/kg, such as from 0.2-5mg/kg, such as from 0.25-5 mg/kg. The administration can be once a week,every 2^(nd) week, every third week or even once a month.

Combination Therapies

In some embodiments the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate orpharmaceutical composition of the invention is for use in a combinationtreatment with another therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent can forexample be the standard of care for the diseases or disorders describedabove.

For the treatment of chronic HBV infections a combination of antiviraldrugs and immune system modulators is recommended as standard of care.The antiviral drugs effective against HBV are for example nucleos(t)ideanalogs. There are five nucleos(t)ide analogs licensed for therapy ofHBV namely lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir (Hepsera), tenofovir (Viread),telbivudine (Tyzeka), entecavir (Baraclude) these are effective insuppressing viral replication (HBV DNA) but have no effect on HBsAglevels. Other antiviral drugs include ribavirin and an HBV antibodytherapy (monoclonal or polyclonal). The immune system modulators can forexample be interferon alpha-2a and PEGylated interferon alpha-2a(Pegasys) or TLR7 agonists (e.g. GS-9620) or therapeutic vaccines. IFN-αtreatment show only very modest effect in reducing viral load, butresult in some HBsAg decline, albeit very inefficiently (<10% after 48week therapy).

The oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugates of the presentinvention may also be combined with other antiviral drugs effectiveagainst HBV such as the antisense oligonucleotides described inWO2012/145697 and WO 2014/179629 or the siRNA molecules described in WO2005/014806, WO 2012/024170, WO 2012/2055362, WO 2013/003520 and WO2013/159109.

When the oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of thisinvention are administered in combination therapies with other agents,they may be administered sequentially or concurrently to an individual.Alternatively, pharmaceutical compositions according to the presentinvention may be comprised of a combination of an oligonucleotide oroligonucleotide conjugate of the present invention in association with apharmaceutically acceptable excipient, as described herein, and anothertherapeutic or prophylactic agent known in the art.

Embodiments

The following embodiments of the present invention may be used incombination with any other embodiments described herein.

1. An antisense oligonucleotide which comprises or consists of acontiguous nucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotides in length capableof reducing the expression of PD-L1.

2. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementarity to a PD-L1 targetnucleic acid.

3. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is complementary to a target nucleic acid selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or SEQ IDNO: 3.

4. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1 to 3, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is complementary to a region within position 1 and15720 on SEQ ID NO: 1.

5. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1 to 4, wherein the oligonucleotideis capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid of selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 witha ΔG° below −10 kcal.

6. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1 to 5, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is complementary to a sub-sequence of the targetnucleic acid, wherein the sub-sequence is selected from the groupconsisting of position 371-3068, 5467-12107, 15317-15720, 15317-18083,15317-19511 and 18881-19494 on SEQ ID NO: 1.

7. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 6, wherein the sub-sequence isselected from the group consisting of position 7300-7333, 8028-8072,9812-9859, 11787-11873 and 15690-15735 on SEQ ID NO: 1.

8. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 2 to 7, wherein the target nucleicacid is RNA.

9. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 8, wherein the RNA is mRNA.

10. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 9, wherein the mRNA is pre-mRNA ormature mRNA.

11. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-10, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of at least 14 contiguousnucleotides, particularly 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24contiguous nucleotides.

12. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-10, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of from 16 to 20 nucleotides.

13. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-10, wherein the oligonucleotidecomprises or consists of 14 to 35 nucleotides in length.

14. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 13, wherein the oligonucleotidecomprises or consists of 18 to 22 nucleotides in length.

15. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-14, wherein the oligonucleotideor contiguous nucleotide sequence is single stranded.

16. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-15, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is complementary to a sub-sequence of the targetnucleic acid, wherein the subsequence is selected from the groupconsisting of A7, A26, A43, A119, A142, A159, A160, A163, A169, A178,A179, A180, A189, A201, A202, A204, A214, A221, A224, A226, A243, A254,A258, 269, A274, A350, A360, A364, A365, A370, A372, A381, A383, A386,A389, A400, A427, A435 and A438.

17. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 16, wherein the subsequence isselected from the group consisting of A221, A360, A180, A160 and A269.

18. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-17, wherein the oligonucleotideis not siRNA and is not self-complementary.

19. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-18, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of a sequence selected fromSEQ ID NO: 5 to 743 or 771.

20. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-19, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of a sequence selected fromSEQ ID NO: 6, 8, 9, 13, 41, 42, 58, 77, 92, 111, 128, 151, 164, 166,169, 171, 222, 233, 245, 246, 250, 251, 252, 256, 272, 273, 287, 292,303, 314, 318, 320, 324, 336, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 349, 359, 360,374, 408, 409, 415, 417, 424, 429, 430, 458, 464, 466, 474, 490, 493,512, 519, 519, 529, 533, 534, 547, 566, 567, 578, 582, 601, 619, 620,636, 637, 638, 640, 645, 650, 651, 652, 653, 658, 659, 660, 665, 678,679, 680, 682, 683, 684, 687, 694, 706, 716, 728, 733, 734, and 735.

21. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-20, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence comprises or consists of a sequence selected fromSEQ ID NO: 466, 640, 342, 287 and 566.

22. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-21 wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence has zero to three mismatches compared to the targetnucleic acid it is complementary to.

23. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 22, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence has one mismatch compared to the target nucleicacid.

24. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 22, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence has two mismatches compared to the target nucleicacid.

25. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 22, wherein the contiguousnucleotide sequence is fully complementary to the target nucleic acidsequence.

26. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-25, comprising one or moremodified nucleosides.

27. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 26, wherein the one or moremodified nucleoside is a high-affinity modified nucleosides.

28. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 26 or 27, wherein the one or moremodified nucleoside is a 2′ sugar modified nucleoside.

29. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 28, wherein the one or more 2′sugar modified nucleoside is independently selected from the groupconsisting of 2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA,2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA, 2′-amino-DNA, 2′-fluoro-DNA, 2′-fluoro-ANA andLNA nucleosides.

30. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 28, wherein the one or moremodified nucleoside is a LNA nucleoside.

31. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30, wherein the modified LNAnucleoside is oxy-LNA.

32. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 31, wherein the modifiednucleoside is beta-D-oxy-LNA.

33. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30, wherein the modifiednucleoside is thio-LNA.

34. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30, wherein the modifiednucleoside is amino-LNA.

35. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30, wherein the modifiednucleoside is cET.

36. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30, wherein the modifiednucleoside is ENA.

37. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30, wherein the modified LNAnucleoside is selected from beta-D-oxy-LNA, alpha-L-oxy-LNA,beta-D-amino-LNA, alpha-L-amino-LNA, beta-D-thio-LNA, alpha-L-thio-LNA,(S)cET, (R)cET beta-D-ENA and alpha-L-ENA.

38. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 30-37, wherein there in additionto the modified LNA nucleoside is at least one 2′ substituted modifiednucleoside.

39. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 38, wherein the 2′ substitutedmodified nucleoside is selected from the group consisting of2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA, 2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA(MOE), 2′-amino-DNA, 2′-fluoro-DNA, 2′-fluoro-ANA.

40. The oligonucleotide of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein theoligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleoside linkage.

41. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 40, wherein the modifiedinternucleoside linkage is nuclease resistant.

42. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 40 or 41, wherein at least 50% ofthe internucleoside linkages within the contiguous nucleotide sequenceare phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages or boranophosphateinternucleoside linkages.

43. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 40 or 41, wherein all theinternucleoside linkages within the contiguous nucleotide sequence arephosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.

44. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-43, wherein the oligonucleotideis capable of recruiting RNase H.

45. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 44, wherein the oligonucleotide isa gapmer.

46. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 44 or 45, wherein theoligonucleotide is a gapmer of formula 5′-F-G-F′-3′, where region F andF′ independently comprise or consist of 1-7 modified nucleosides and Gis a region between 6 and 16 nucleosides which are capable of recruitingRNaseH.

47. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 44 or 45, wherein the gapmer hasformula 5′-D′-F-G-F′-3′ or 5′-F-G-F′-D″-3′, where region F and F′independently comprise 1-7 modified nucleosides, G is a region between 6and 16 nucleosides which are capable of recruiting RNaseH and region D′or D″ comprise 1-5 phosphodiester linked nucleosides.

48. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 47, wherein D′ or D″ are optional.

49. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 47, wherein region D′ consist oftwo phosphodiester linked nucleosides.

50. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 49, wherein the phosphodiesterlinked nucleosides are ca (cytidine-adenosine).

51. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 46 or 47, wherein the modifiednucleoside is a 2′ sugar modified nucleoside independently selected fromthe group consisting of 2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA,2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA, 2′-amino-DNA, 2′-fluoro-DNA, arabino nucleic acid(ANA), 2′-fluoro-ANA and LNA nucleosides.

52. The oligonucleotide of embodiments 46 to 51, wherein one or more ofthe modified nucleosides in region F and F′ is a LNA nucleoside.

53. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 52, wherein all the modifiednucleosides in region F and F′ are LNA nucleosides.

54. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 53, wherein region F and F′consist of LNA nucleosides.

55. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 52-54, wherein all the modifiednucleosides in region F and F′ are oxy-LNA nucleosides.

56. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 52, wherein at least one of regionF or F′ further comprises at least one 2′ substituted modifiednucleoside independently selected from the group consisting of2′-O-alkyl-RNA, 2′-O-methyl-RNA, 2′-alkoxy-RNA, 2′-O-methoxyethyl-RNA,2′-amino-DNA and 2′-fluoro-DNA.

57. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 46-56, wherein the RNaseHrecruiting nucleosides in region G are independently selected from DNA,alpha-L-LNA, C4′ alkylated DNA, ANA and 2′F-ANA and UNA.

58. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 57, wherein the nucleosides inregion G is DNA and/or alpha-L-LNA nucleosides.

59. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 57 or 58, wherein region Gconsists of at least 75% DNA nucleosides.

60. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-59, wherein the oligonucleotideis selected from any one of the CMP ID NO: 5_1 to 743_1 and 771_1 (table5).

61. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-60, wherein the oligonucleotideis selected from the group consisting of CMP ID NO: 6_1, 8_1, 9_1, 13_1,41_1, 42_1, 58_1, 77_1, 92_1, 111_1, 128_1, 151_1, 164_1, 166_1, 169_1,171_1, 222_1, 233_1, 245_1, 246_1, 250_1, 251_1, 252_1, 256_1, 272_1,273_1, 287_1, 292_1, 303_1, 314_1, 318_1, 320_1, 324_1, 336_1, 342_1,343_1 344_1, 345_1, 346_1, 349_1, 359_1, 360_1, 374_1, 408_1, 409_1,415_1, 417_1, 424_1, 429_1 430_1, 458_1, 464_1, 466_1, 474_1, 490_1,493_1, 512_1, 519_1, 519_1, 529_1, 533_1, 534_1 547_1, 566_1, 567_1,578_1, 582_1, 601_1, 619_1, 620_1, 636_1, 637_1, 638_1, 640_1, 645_1650_1, 651_1, 652_1, 653_1, 658_1, 659_1, 660_1, 665_1, 678_1, 679_1,680_1, 682_1, 683_1, 684_1, 687_1, 694_1, 706_1, 716_1, 728_1, 733_1,734_1, and 735_1.

62. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-61, wherein the oligonucleotideis selected from the group consisting of CMP ID NO: 287_1, 342_1, 466_1,640_1, 566_1, 766_1, 767_1, 768_1, 769_1, and 770_1.

63. An antisense oligonucleotide conjugate comprising

-   -   a. an oligonucleotide according to any one of claims 1-62        (Region A); and    -   b. at least one at least one conjugate moiety (Region C)        covalently attached to said oligonucleotide.

64. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 63, wherein theconjugate moiety is selected from carbohydrates, cell surface receptorligands, drug substances, hormones, lipophilic substances, polymers,proteins, peptides, toxins, vitamins, viral proteins or combinationsthereof.

65. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 63 or 64, wherein theconjugate moiety is a carbohydrate containing moiety.

66. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 65, wherein thecarbohydrate conjugate moiety comprises at least one asialoglycoproteinreceptor targeting moiety covalently attached to an oligonucleotideaccording to any one of claims 1-62.

67. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 66, wherein theasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety comprises atleast one carbohydrate moiety selected from group consisting ofgalactose, galactosamine, N-formyl-galactosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine,N-propionyl-galactosamine, N-n-butanoyl-galactosamine andN-isobutanoylgalactosamine.

68. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 66 or 67, wherein theasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety is mono-valent,di-valent, tri-valent or tetra-valent.

69. The oligomer conjugate of embodiment 68, wherein theasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety consists of twoto four terminal GalNAc moieties, a PEG spacer linking each GalNAcmoiety to a brancher molecule.

70. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 66 to 69, wherein theasialoglycoprotein receptor targeting conjugate moiety is a tri-valentN-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety.

71. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 66 to 70, wherein theconjugate moiety is selected from one of the trivalent GalNAc moietiesin FIG. 1.

72. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 71, wherein theconjugate moiety is the trivalent GalNAc moiety in FIG. 3.

73. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 63-72, where a linker ispresent between the oligonucleotide or contiguous oligonucleotidesequence and the conjugate moiety.

74. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 73, wherein the linkeris a physiologically labile linker (region B).

75. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 74, wherein thephysiologically labile linker is nuclease susceptible linker.

76. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 74 or 75, wherein thephysiologically labile linker is composed of 2 to 5 consecutivephosphodiester linkages.

77. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 76, wherein thephysiologically labile linker is equivalent to region D′ or D″ presentedin embodiment 47 to 50.

78. The oligonucleotide conjugate of any one of embodiments 63-77,wherein the oligonucleotide conjugate is selected from CMP ID NO: 766_2,767_2, 768_2, 769_2 and 770_2.

79. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 78, wherein theoligonucleotide conjugate is selected from the oligonucleotideconjugated represented in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

80. The oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 63-76, which displayimproved inhibition of PD-L1 in the target cell, or improved cellulardistribution between liver and the spleen or improved cellular uptakeinto the liver of the conjugate oligonucleotide as compared to anunconjugated oligonucleotide.

81. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the oligonucleotide ofembodiment 1-62 or a conjugate of embodiment 63-80 and apharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, salt and/or adjuvant.

82. A method for manufacturing the oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62,comprising reacting nucleotide units thereby forming covalently linkedcontiguous nucleotide units comprised in the oligonucleotide.

83. The method of embodiment 82, further comprising reacting thecontiguous nucleotide sequence with a non-nucleotide conjugation moiety.

84. A method for manufacturing the composition of embodiment 81,comprising mixing the oligonucleotide with a pharmaceutically acceptablediluent, carrier, salt and/or adjuvant.

85. An in vivo or in vitro method for modulating PD-L1 expression in atarget cell which is expressing PD-L1, said method comprisingadministering an oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 or a conjugate ofembodiment 63-80 or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 81 inan effective amount to said cell.

86. A method for treating or preventing a disease comprisingadministering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount ofan oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 or a conjugate of embodiment 63-80or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 81 to a subjectsuffering from or susceptible to the disease.

87. A method for restoration of immunity against a virus or parasitecomprising administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effectiveamount of an oligonucleotide conjugate of embodiment 63-80 or theoligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 or the pharmaceutical composition ofembodiment 81 to a subject infected with a virus or parasite.

88. The method of embodiment 87, the restoration of immunity is anincrease in the liver of CD8+ T cells specific to one or more HBVantigens when compared to a control.

89. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 or a conjugate of embodiment63-80 or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 81, for use as amedicament for treatment or prevention of a disease in a subject.

90. Use of the oligonucleotide of oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 ora conjugate of embodiment 63-80 for the preparation of a medicament fortreatment or prevention of a disease in a subject.

91. The oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 or a conjugate of embodiment63-80 or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 81, for use inrestoration of immunity against a virus or parasite.

92. The use of embodiment 91, wherein the restoration of immunity is anincrease in the liver of CD8+ T cells specific to one or more HBVantigens when compared to a control.

93. The use of embodiment 92, wherein the HBV antigen is the HBsAg.

94. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiments 86-93,wherein the disease is associated with in vivo activity of PD-L1.

95. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiments 86-94,wherein the disease is associated with increased expression of PD-L1 inan antigen presenting cell.

96. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiments 95,wherein the PD-L1 is reduced by at least 30%, or at least or at least40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%,or at least 90%, or at least 95% compared to the expression without orbefore treatment with the oligonucleotide of embodiment 1-62 or aconjugate of embodiment 63-80 or the pharmaceutical composition ofembodiment 81.

97. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiments 86-95,wherein the disease is selected from a viral liver infection or aparasite infections.

98. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiment 98, whereinthe viral infection is HBV, HCV or HDV.

99. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiment 86-95,wherein the disease is chronic HBV.

100. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiment 98,wherein the parasite infection is malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasisor trypanosomiasis.

101. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiments 86-100,wherein the subject is a mammal.

102. The method, the oligonucleotide or the use of embodiment 101,wherein the mammal is human.

EXAMPLES

Materials and methods

Motif Sequences and Oligonucleotide Compounds

TABLE 5list of oligonucleotide motif sequences (indicated by SEQ ID NO) targeting the humanPD-L1 transcript (SEQ ID NO: 1), designs of these, as well as specific antisenseoligonucleotide compounds (indicated by CMP ID NO) designed based on the motif sequence.SEQ Oligonucleotide CMP Start ID ID NO Motif sequence Design CompoundID NO NO: 1 dG 5 taattggctctactgc 2-11-3 TAattggctctacTGC   5_1 236 −206 tcgcataagaatgact 4-10-2 TCGCataagaatgaCT   6_1 371 −19 7tgaacacacagtcgca 2-12-2 TGaacacacagtcgCA   7_1 382 −19 8ctgaacacacagtcgc 3-10-3 CTGaacacacagtCGC   8_1 383 −22 9tctgaacacacagtcg 3-11-2 TCTgaacacacagtCG   9_1 384 −19 10ttctgaacacacagtc 3-11-2 TTCtgaacacacagTC  10_1 385 −17 11acaagtcatgttacta 2-11-3 ACaagtcatgttaCTA  11_1 463 −16 12acacaagtcatgttac 2-12-2 ACacaagtcatgttAC  12_1 465 −14 13cttacttagatgctgc 2-11-3 CTtacttagatgcTGC  13_1 495 −20 14acttacttagatgctg 2-11-3 ACttacttagatgCTG  14_1 496 −18 15gacttacttagatgct 3-11-2 GACttacttagatgCT  15_1 497 −19 16agacttacttagatgc 2-11-3 AGacttacttagaTGC  16_1 498 −18 17gcaggaagagacttac 3-10-3 GCAggaagagactTAC  17_1 506 −20 18aataaattccgttcagg 4-9-4 AATAaattccgttCAGG  18_1 541 −22 19gcaaataaattccgtt 3-10-3 GCAaataaattccGTT  19_2 545 −18 19gcaaataaattccgtt 4-8-4 GCAAataaattcCGTT  19_1 545 −20 20agcaaataaattccgt 4-9-3 AGCAaataaattcCGT  20_1 546 −20 21cagagcaaataaattcc 4-10-3 CAGAgcaaataaatTCC  21_1 548 −21 22tggacagagcaaataaat 4-11-3 TGGAcagagcaaataAAT  22_1 551 −19 23atggacagagcaaata 4-8-4 ATGGacagagcaAATA  23_1 554 −20 24cagaatggacagagca 2-11-3 CAgaatggacagaGCA  24_1 558 −21 25ttctcagaatggacag 3-11-2 TTCtcagaatggacAG  25_1 562 −17 26ctgaactttgacatag 4-8-4 CTGAactttgacATAG  26_1 663 −20 27aagacaaacccagactga 2-13-3 AAgacaaacccagacTGA  27_1 675 −21 28tataagacaaacccagac 4-10-4 TATAagacaaacccAGAC  28_1 678 −22 29ttataagacaaacccaga 4-10-4 TTATaagacaaaccCAGA  29_1 679 −23 30tgttataagacaaaccc 4-10-3 TGTTataagacaaaCCC  30_1 682 −22 31tagaacaatggtacttt 4-9-4 TAGAacaatggtaCTTT  31_1 708 −20 32gtagaacaatggtact 4-10-2 GTAGaacaatggtaCT  32_1 710 −19 33aggtagaacaatggta 3-10-3 AGGtagaacaatgGTA  33_1 712 −19 34aagaggtagaacaatgg 4-9-4 AAGAggtagaacaATGG  34_1 714 −21 35gcatccacagtaaatt 2-12-2 GCatccacagtaaaTT  35_1 749 −17 36gaaggttatttaattc 2-11-3 GAaggttatttaaTTC  36_1 773 −13 37ctaatcgaatgcagca 4-9-3 CTAAtcgaatgcaGCA  37_1 805 −22 38tacccaatctaatcga 3-10-3 TACccaatctaatCGA  38_1 813 −20 39tagttacccaatctaa 3-10-3 TAGttacccaatcTAA  39_1 817 −19 40catttagttacccaat 3-10-3 CATttagttacccAAT  40_1 821 −18 41tcatttagttacccaa 3-10-3 TCAtttagttaccCAA  41_1 822 −19 42ttcatttagttaccca 2-10-4 TTcatttagttaCCCA  42_1 823 −22 43gaattaatttcatttagt 4-10-4 GAATtaatttcattTAGT  43_1 829 −19 44cagtgaggaattaattt 4-9-4 CAGTgaggaattaATTT  44_1 837 −20 45ccaacagtgaggaatt 4-8-4 CCAAcagtgaggAATT  45_1 842 −21 46cccaacagtgaggaat 3-10-3 CCCaacagtgaggAAT  46_1 843 −22 47tatacccaacagtgagg 2-12-3 TAtacccaacagtgAGG  47_1 846 −21 48ttatacccaacagtgag 2-11-4 TTatacccaacagTGAG  48_1 847 −21 49tttatacccaacagtga 3-11-3 TTTatacccaacagTGA  49_1 848 −21 50cctttatacccaacag 3-10-3 CCTttatacccaaCAG  50_1 851 −23 51taacctttatacccaa 4-8-4 TAACctttatacCCAA  51_1 854 −22 52aataacctttataccca 3-10-4 AATaacctttataCCCA  52_1 855 −23 53gtaaataacctttata 3-11-2 GTAaataacctttaTA  53_1 859 −14 54actgtaaataacctttat 4-10-4 ACTGtaaataacctTTAT  54_1 860 −20 55atatatatgcaatgag 3-11-2 ATAtatatgcaatgAG  55_1 903 −14 56agatatatatgcaatg 2-12-2 AGatatatatgcaaTG  56_1 905 −12 57gagatatatatgcaat 3-10-3 GAGatatatatgcAAT  57_1 906 −15 58ccagagatatatatgc 2-11-3 CCagagatatataTGC  58_1 909 −19 59caatattccagagatat 4-9-4 CAATattccagagATAT  59_1 915 −20 60gcaatattccagagata 4-10-3 GCAAtattccagagATA  60_1 916 −22 61agcaatattccagagat 3-11-3 AGCaatattccagaGAT  61_1 917 −22 62cagcaatattccagag 3-9-4 CAGcaatattccAGAG  62_1 919 −22 63aatcagcaatattccag 4-9-4 AATCagcaatattCCAG  63_1 921 −23 64acaatcagcaatattcc 4-9-4 ACAAtcagcaataTTCC  64_1 923 −21 65actaagtagttacacttct 2-14-3 ACtaagtagttacactTCT  65_1 957 −20 66ctaagtagttacacttc 4-11-2 CTAAgtagttacactTC  66_1 958 −18 67gactaagtagttacactt 3-12-3 GACtaagtagttacaCTT  67_1 959 −20 68tgactaagtagttaca 3-9-4 TGActaagtagtTACA  68_1 962 −19 69ctttgactaagtagtta 4-10-3 CTTTgactaagtagTTA  69_1 964 −19 70ctctttgactaagtag 3-10-3 CTCtttgactaagTAG  70_1 967 −19 71gctctttgactaagta 4-10-2 GCTCtttgactaagTA  71_1 968 −21 72ccttaaatactgttgac 2-11-4 CCttaaatactgtTGAC  72_1 1060 −20 73cttaaatactgttgac 2-12-2 CTtaaatactgttgAC  73_1 1060 −13 74tccttaaatactgttg 3-10-3 TCCttaaatactgTTG  74_1 1062 −18 75tctccttaaatactgtt 4-11-2 TCTCcttaaatactgTT  75_1 1063 −19 76tatcatagttctcctt 2-10-4 TAtcatagttctCCTT  76_1 1073 −21 77agtatcatagttctcc 3-10-3 AGTatcatagttcTCC  77_1 1075 −22 78gagtatcatagttctc 2-11-3 GAgtatcatagttCTC  78_1 1076 −18 79agagtatcatagttct 2-10-4 AGagtatcatagTTCT  79_1 1077 −18 79agagtatcatagttct 3-10-3 AGAgtatcatagtTCT  79_2 1077 −19 80cagagtatcatagttc 3-10-3 CAGagtatcatagTTC  80_1 1078 −18 81ttcagagtatcatagt 4-10-2 TTCAgagtatcataGT  81_1 1080 −18 82cttcagagtatcatag 3-9-4 CTTcagagtatcATAG  82_1 1081 −19 83ttcttcagagtatcata 4-11-2 TTCTtcagagtatcaTA  83_1 1082 −19 84tttcttcagagtatcat 3-10-4 TTTcttcagagtaTCAT  84_1 1083 −20 85gagaaaggctaagttt 4-9-3 GAGAaaggctaagTTT  85_1 1099 −19 86gacactcttgtacatt 2-10-4 GAcactcttgtaCATT  86_1 1213 −19 87tgagacactcttgtaca 2-13-2 TGagacactcttgtaCA  87_1 1215 −18 88tgagacactcttgtac 2-11-3 TGagacactcttgTAC  88_1 1216 −18 89ctttattaaactccat 2-10-4 CTttattaaactCCAT  89_1 1266 −18 90accaaactttattaaa 4-10-2 ACCAaactttattaAA  90_1 1272 −14 91aaacctctactaagtg 4-10-2 AAACctctactaagTG  91_1 1288 −16 92agattaagacagttga 2-11-3 AGattaagacagtTGA  92_1 1310 −16 93aagtaggagcaagaggc 2-12-3 AAgtaggagcaagaGGC  93_1 1475 −22 94aaagtaggagcaagagg 4-10-3 AAAGtaggagcaagAGG  94_1 1476 −20 95gttaagcagccaggag 2-12-2 GTtaagcagccaggAG  95_1 1806 −20 96agggtaggatgggtag 2-12-2 AGggtaggatgggtAG  96_1 1842 −20 97aagggtaggatgggta 3-11-2 AAGggtaggatgggTA  97_1 1843 −20 98caagggtaggatgggt 2-12-2 CAagggtaggatggGT  98_2 1844 −20 98caagggtaggatgggt 3-11-2 CAAgggtaggatggGT  98_1 1844 −21 99ccaagggtaggatggg 2-12-2 CCaagggtaggatgGG  99_1 1845 −22 100tccaagggtaggatgg 2-12-2 TCcaagggtaggatGG 100_1 1846 −20 101cttccaagggtaggat 4-10-2 CTTCcaagggtaggAT 101_1 1848 −21 102atcttccaagggtagga 3-12-2 ATCttccaagggtagGA 102_1 1849 −22 103agaagtgatggctcatt 2-11-4 AGaagtgatggctCATT 103_1 1936 −21 104aagaagtgatggctcat 3-10-4 AAGaagtgatggcTCAT 104_1 1937 −21 105gaagaagtgatggctca 3-11-3 GAAgaagtgatggcTCA 105_1 1938 −21 106atgaaatgtaaactggg 4-9-4 ATGAaatgtaaacTGGG 106_1 1955 −21 107caatgaaatgtaaactgg 4-10-4 CAATgaaatgtaaaCTGG 107_1 1956 −20 108gcaatgaaatgtaaactg 4-10-4 GCAAtgaaatgtaaACTG 108_1 1957 −20 109agcaatgaaatgtaaact 4-10-4 AGCAatgaaatgtaAACT 109_1 1958 −20 110gagcaatgaaatgtaaac 4-10-4 GAGCaatgaaatgtAAAC 110_1 1959 −19 111tgaattcccatatccga 2-12-3 TGaattcccatatcCGA 111_1 1992 −22 112agaattatgaccatat 2-11-3 AGaattatgaccaTAT 112_1 2010 −15 113aggtaagaattatgacc 3-10-4 AGGtaagaattatGACC 113_1 2014 −21 114tcaggtaagaattatgac 4-10-4 TCAGgtaagaattaTGAC 114_1 2015 −22 115cttcaggtaagaattatg 4-10-4 CTTCaggtaagaatTATG 115_1 2017 −21 116tcttcaggtaagaatta 4-9-4 TCTTcaggtaagaATTA 116_1 2019 −20 117cttcttcaggtaagaat 4-9-4 CTTCttcaggtaaGAAT 117_1 2021 −21 118tcttcttcaggtaagaa 4-10-3 TCTTcttcaggtaaGAA 118_1 2022 −20 119tcttcttcaggtaaga 3-10-3 TCTtcttcaggtaAGA 119_1 2023 −20 120tggtctaagagaagaag 3-10-4 TGGtctaagagaaGAAG 120_1 2046 −20 121gttggtctaagagaag 4-9-3 GTTGgtctaagagAAG 121_1 2049 −19 123cagttggtctaagagaa 2-11-4 CAgttggtctaagAGAA 123_1 2050 −20 124gcagttggtctaagagaa 3-13-2 GCAgttggtctaagagAA 124_1 2050 −22 122agttggtctaagagaa 3-9-4 AGTtggtctaagAGAA 122_1 2050 −20 126gcagttggtctaagaga 2-13-2 GCagttggtctaagaGA 126_1 2051 −21 125cagttggtctaagaga 4-10-2 CAGTtggtctaagaGA 125_1 2051 −21 127gcagttggtctaagag 2-11-3 GCagttggtctaaGAG 127_1 2052 −21 128ctcatatcagggcagt 2-10-4 CTcatatcagggCAGT 128_1 2063 −24 129cacacatgttctttaac 4-11-2 CACAcatgttctttaAC 129_1 2087 −18 130taaatacacacatgttct 3-11-4 TAAatacacacatgTTCT 130_1 2092 −19 131gtaaatacacacatgttc 4-11-3 GTAAatacacacatgTTC 131_1 2093 −19 132tgtaaatacacacatgtt 4-10-4 TGTAaatacacacaTGTT 132_1 2094 −22 133gatcatgtaaatacacac 4-10-4 GATCatgtaaatacACAC 133_1 2099 −20 134agatcatgtaaatacaca 4-10-4 AGATcatgtaaataCACA 134_1 2100 −21 135caaagatcatgtaaatacac 4-12-4 CAAAgatcatgtaaatACAC 135_1 2101 −19 136acaaagatcatgtaaataca 4-12-4 ACAAagatcatgtaaaTACA 136_1 2102 −20 137gaatacaaagatcatgta 4-10-4 GAATacaaagatcaTGTA 137_1 2108 −20 138agaatacaaagatcatgt 4-10-4 AGAAtacaaagatcATGT 138_1 2109 −20 139cagaatacaaagatcatg 4-10-4 CAGAatacaaagatCATG 139_1 2110 −21 140gcagaatacaaagatca 4-9-4 GCAGaatacaaagATCA 140_1 2112 −22 141aggcagaatacaaagat 4-11-2 AGGCagaatacaaagAT 141_1 2114 −19 142aaggcagaatacaaaga 4-10-3 AAGGcagaatacaaAGA 142_1 2115 −19 143attagtgagggacgaa 3-10-3 ATTagtgagggacGAA 143_1 2132 −18 144cattagtgagggacga 2-11-3 CAttagtgagggaCGA 144_1 2133 −20 145gagggtgatggattag 2-11-3 GAgggtgatggatTAG 145_1 2218 −19 146ttaggagtaataaagg 2-10-4 TTaggagtaataAAGG 146_1 2241 −14 147ttaatgaatttggttg 3-11-2 TTAatgaatttggtTG 147_1 2263 −13 148ctttaatgaatttggt 2-12-2 CTttaatgaatttgGT 148_1 2265 −14 149catggattacaactaa 4-10-2 CATGgattacaactAA 149_1 2322 −16 150tcatggattacaacta 2-11-3 TCatggattacaaCTA 150_1 2323 −16 151gtcatggattacaact 3-11-2 GTCatggattacaaCT 151_1 2324 −18 152cattaaatctagtcat 2-10-4 CAttaaatctagTCAT 152_1 2335 −16 153gacattaaatctagtca 4-10-3 GACAttaaatctagTCA 153_1 2336 −19 154agggacattaaatcta 4-10-2 AGGGacattaaatcTA 154_1 2340 −18 155caaagcattataacca 4-9-3 CAAAgcattataaCCA 155_1 2372 −18 156acttactaggcagaag 2-10-4 ACttactaggcaGAAG 156_1 2415 −19 157cagagttaactgtaca 4-10-2 CAGAgttaactgtaCA 157_1 2545 −20 158ccagagttaactgtac 4-10-2 CCAGagttaactgtAC 158_1 2546 −20 159gccagagttaactgta 2-12-2 GCcagagttaactgTA 159_1 2547 −20 160tgggccagagttaact 2-12-2 TGggccagagttaaCT 160_1 2550 −21 161cagcatctatcagact 2-12-2 CAgcatctatcagaCT 161_1 2576 −19 162tgaaataacatgagtcat 3-11-4 TGAaataacatgagTCAT 162_1 2711 −19 163gtgaaataacatgagtc 3-10-4 GTGaaataacatgAGTC 163_1 2713 −19 164tctgtttatgtcactg 4-10-2 TCTGtttatgtcacTG 164_1 2781 −20 165gtctgtttatgtcact 4-10-2 GTCTgtttatgtcaCT 165_1 2782 −22 166tggtctgtttatgtca 2-10-4 TGgtctgtttatGTCA 166_1 2784 −21 167ttggtctgtttatgtc 4-10-2 TTGGtctgtttatgTC 167_1 2785 −20 168tcacccattgtttaaa 2-12-2 TCacccattgtttaAA 168_1 2842 −15 169ttcagcaaatattcgt 2-10-4 TTcagcaaatatTCGT 169_1 2995 −17 170gtgtgttcagcaaatat 3-10-4 GTGtgttcagcaaATAT 170_1 2999 −21 171tctattgttaggtatc 3-10-3 TCTattgttaggtATC 171_1 3053 −18 172attgcccatcttactg 2-12-2 ATtgcccatcttacTG 172_1 3118 −19 173tattgcccatcttact 3-11-2 TATtgcccatcttaCT 173_1 3119 −21 174aaatattgcccatctt 2-11-3 AAatattgcccatCTT 174_1 3122 −17 175ataaccttatcataca 3-11-2 ATAaccttatcataCA 175_1 3174 −16 176tataaccttatcatac 2-11-3 TAtaaccttatcaTAC 176_1 3175 −14 177ttataaccttatcata 3-11-2 TTAtaaccttatcaTA 177_1 3176 −14 178tttataaccttatcat 3-10-3 TTTataaccttatCAT 178_1 3177 −16 179actgctattgctatct 2-11-3 ACtgctattgctaTCT 179_1 3375 −19 180aggactgctattgcta 2-11-3 AGgactgctattgCTA 180_1 3378 −21 181gaggactgctattgct 3-11-2 GAGgactgctattgCT 181_1 3379 −22 182acgtagaataataaca 2-12-2 ACgtagaataataaCA 182_1 3561 −11 183ccaagtgatataatgg 2-10-4 CCaagtgatataATGG 183_1 3613 −19 184ttagcagaccaagtga 2-10-4 TTagcagaccaaGTGA 184_1 3621 −21 185gtttagcagaccaagt 2-12-2 GTttagcagaccaaGT 185_1 3623 −19 186tgacagtgattatatt 2-12-2 TGacagtgattataTT 186_1 3856 −13 187tgtccaagatattgac 4-10-2 TGTCcaagatattgAC 187_1 3868 −18 188gaatatcctagattgt 3-10-3 GAAtatcctagatTGT 188_1 4066 −18 189caaactgagaatatcc 2-11-3 CAaactgagaataTCC 189_1 4074 −16 190gcaaactgagaatatc 3-11-2 GCAaactgagaataTC 190_1 4075 −16 191tcctattacaatcgta 3-11-2 TCCtattacaatcgTA 191_1 4214 −19 192ttcctattacaatcgt 4-10-2 TTCCtattacaatcGT 192_1 4215 −19 193actaatgggaggattt 2-12-2 ACtaatgggaggatTT 193_1 4256 −15 194tagttcagagaataag 2-12-2 TAgttcagagaataAG 194_1 4429 −13 195taacatatagttcaga 2-11-3 TAacatatagttcAGA 195_1 4436 −15 196ataacatatagttcag 3-11-2 ATAacatatagttcAG 196_1 4437 −14 197cataacatatagttca 2-12-2 CAtaacatatagttCA 197_1 4438 −13 198tcataacatatagttc 2-12-2 TCataacatatagtTC 198_1 4439 −12 199tagctcctaacaatca 4-10-2 TAGCtcctaacaatCA 199_1 4507 −22 200ctccaatctttgtata 4-10-2 CTCCaatctttgtaTA 200_1 4602 −20 201tctccaatctttgtat 4-10-2 TCTCcaatctttgtAT 201_1 4603 −19 202tctatttcagccaatc 2-12-2 TCtatttcagccaaTC 202_1 4708 −17 203cggaagtcagagtgaa 3-10-3 CGGaagtcagagtGAA 203_1 4782 −19 204ttaagcatgaggaata 4-10-2 TTAAgcatgaggaaTA 204_1 4798 −16 205tgattgagcacctctt 3-10-3 TGAttgagcacctCTT 205_1 4831 −22 206gactaattatttcgtt 3-11-2 GACtaattatttcgTT 206_1 4857 −15 207tgactaattatttcgt 3-10-3 TGActaattatttCGT 207_1 4858 −17 208gtgactaattatttcg 3-10-3 GTGactaattattTCG 208_1 4859 −17 209ctgcttgaaatgtgac 4-10-2 CTGCttgaaatgtgAC 209_1 4870 −20 210cctgcttgaaatgtga 2-11-3 CCtgcttgaaatgTGA 210_1 4871 −21 211atcctgcttgaaatgt 2-10-4 ATcctgcttgaaATGT 211_1 4873 −20 212attataaatctattct 3-10-3 ATTataaatctatTCT 212_1 5027 −13 213gctaaatactttcatc 2-11-3 GCtaaatactttcATC 213_1 5151 −16 214cattgtaacataccta 2-10-4 CAttgtaacataCCTA 214_1 5251 −19 215gcattgtaacatacct 2-12-2 GCattgtaacatacCT 215_1 5252 −18 216taatattgcaccaaat 2-12-2 TAatattgcaccaaAT 216_1 5295 −13 217gataatattgcaccaa 2-11-3 GAtaatattgcacCAA 217_1 5297 −16 218agataatattgcacca 2-12-2 AGataatattgcacCA 218_1 5298 −16 219gccaagaagataatat 2-10-4 GCcaagaagataATAT 219_1 5305 −17 220cacagccacataaact 4-10-2 CACAgccacataaaCT 220_1 5406 −21 221ttgtaattgtggaaac 2-12-2 TTgtaattgtggaaAC 221_1 5463 −12 222tgacttgtaattgtgg 2-11-3 TGacttgtaattgTGG 222_1 5467 −18 223tctaactgaaatagtc 2-12-2 TCtaactgaaatagTC 223_1 5503 −13 224gtggttctaactgaaa 3-11-2 GTGgttctaactgaAA 224_1 5508 −16 225caatatgggacttggt 2-12-2 CAatatgggacttgGT 225_1 5522 −18 226atgacaatatgggact 3-11-2 ATGacaatatgggaCT 226_1 5526 −17 227tatgacaatatgggac 4-10-2 TATGacaatatgggAC 227_1 5527 −17 228atatgacaatatggga 4-10-2 ATATgacaatatggGA 228_1 5528 −17 229cttcacttaataatta 2-11-3 CTtcacttaataaTTA 229_1 5552 −13 230ctgcttcacttaataa 4-10-2 CTGCttcacttaatAA 230_1 5555 −18 231aagactgcttcactta 2-11-3 AAgactgcttcacTTA 231_1 5559 −17 232gaatgccctaattatg 4-10-2 GAATgccctaattaTG 232_1 5589 −19 233tggaatgccctaatta 3-11-2 TGGaatgccctaatTA 233_1 5591 −19 234gcaaatgccagtaggt 3-11-2 GCAaatgccagtagGT 234_1 5642 −23 235ctaatggaaggatttg 3-11-2 CTAatggaaggattTG 235_1 5673 −15 236aatatagaacctaatg 2-12-2 AAtatagaacctaaTG 236_1 5683 −10 237gaaagaatagaatgtt 3-10-3 GAAagaatagaatGTT 237_1 5769 −12 238atgggtaatagattat 3-11-2 ATGggtaatagattAT 238_1 5893 −15 239gaaagagcacagggtg 2-12-2 GAaagagcacagggTG 239_1 6103 −18 240ctacatagagggaatg 4-10-2 CTACatagagggaaTG 240_1 6202 −18 241gcttcctacatagagg 2-10-4 GCttcctacataGAGG 241_1 6207 −24 242tgcttcctacatagag 4-10-2 TGCTtcctacatagAG 242_1 6208 −22 243tgggcttgaaatatgt 2-11-3 TGggcttgaaataTGT 243_1 6417 −19 244cattatatttaagaac 3-11-2 CATtatatttaagaAC 244_1 6457 −11 245tcggttatgttatcat 2-10-4 TCggttatgttaTCAT 245_1 6470 −19 246cactttatctggtcgg 2-10-4 CActttatctggTCGG 246_1 6482 −22 247aaattggcacagcgtt 3-10-3 AAAttggcacagcGTT 247_1 6505 −18 248accgtgacagtaaatg 4-9-3 ACCGtgacagtaaATG 248_1 6577 −20 249tgggaaccgtgacagta 2-13-2 TGggaaccgtgacagTA 249_1 6581 −22 250ccacatataggtcctt 2-11-3 CCacatataggtcCTT 250_1 6597 −21 251catattgctaccatac 2-11-3 CAtattgctaccaTAC 251_1 6617 −18 252tcatattgctaccata 3-10-3 TCAtattgctaccATA 252_1 6618 −19 253caattgtcatattgct 4-8-4 CAATtgtcatatTGCT 253_1 6624 −21 254cattcaattgtcatattg 3-12-3 CATtcaattgtcataTTG 254_1 6626 −18 255tttctactgggaatttg 4-9-4 TTTCtactgggaaTTTG 255_1 6644 −20 256caattagtgcagccag 3-10-3 CAAttagtgcagcCAG 256_1 6672 −21 257gaataatgttcttatcc 4-10-3 GAATaatgttcttaTCC 257_1 6704 −20 258cacaaattgaataatgttct 4-13-3 CACAaattgaataatgtTCT 258_1 6709 −20 259catgcacaaattgaataat 4-11-4 CATGcacaaattgaaTAAT 259_1 6714 −20 260atcctgcaatttcacat 3-11-3 ATCctgcaatttcaCAT 260_1 6832 −22 261ccaccatagctgatca 2-12-2 CCaccatagctgatCA 261_1 6868 −22 262accaccatagctgatca 2-12-3 ACcaccatagctgaTCA 262_1 6868 −23 263caccaccatagctgatc 2-13-2 CAccaccatagctgaTC 263_1 6869 −21 264tagtcggcaccaccat 2-12-2 TAgtcggcaccaccAT 264_1 6877 −22 265cttgtagtcggcaccac 1-14-2 CttgtagtcggcaccAC 265_1 6880 −21 266cttgtagtcggcacca 1-13-2 CttgtagtcggcacCA 266_1 6881 −21 267cgcttgtagtcggcac 2-12-2 CGcttgtagtcggcAC 267_1 6883 −21 268tcaataaagatcaggc 3-11-2 TCAataaagatcagGC 268_1 6942 −17 269tggacttacaagaatg 2-12-2 TGgacttacaagaaTG 269_1 6986 −14 270atggacttacaagaat 3-11-2 ATGgacttacaagaAT 270_1 6987 −15 271gctcaagaaattggat 4-10-2 GCTCaagaaattggAT 271_1 7073 −19 272tactgtagaacatggc 4-10-2 TACTgtagaacatgGC 272_1 7133 −21 273gcaattcatttgatct 4-9-3 GCAAttcatttgaTCT 273_1 7239 −20 274tgaagggaggagggacac 2-14-2 TGaagggaggagggacAC 274_1 7259 −20 275agtggtgaagggaggag 2-13-2 AGtggtgaagggaggAG 275_1 7265 −21 276tagtggtgaagggaggag 2-14-2 TAgtggtgaagggaggAG 276_1 7265 −21 277atagtggtgaagggaggag 1-16-2 AtagtggtgaagggaggAG 277_1 7265 −20 278tagtggtgaagggagga 2-13-2 TAgtggtgaagggagGA 278_1 7266 −21 279atagtggtgaagggagga 2-14-2 ATagtggtgaagggagGA 279_1 7266 −21 280tagtggtgaagggagg 3-11-2 TAGtggtgaagggaGG 280_1 7267 −21 281atagtggtgaagggagg 3-12-2 ATAgtggtgaagggaGG 281_1 7267 −22 282gatagtggtgaagggagg 2-14-2 GAtagtggtgaagggaGG 282_1 7267 −21 283atagtggtgaagggag 4-10-2 ATAGtggtgaagggAG 283_1 7268 −20 284gatagtggtgaagggag 2-12-3 GAtagtggtgaaggGAG 284_1 7268 −21 285gagatagtggtgaagg 2-10-4 GAgatagtggtgAAGG 285_1 7271 −20 286catgggagatagtggt 4-10-2 CATGggagatagtgGT 286_1 7276 −22 287acaaataatggttactct 4-10-4 ACAAataatggttaCTCT 287_1 7302 −20 288acacacaaataatggtta 4-10-4 ACACacaaataatgGTTA 288_1 7306 −20 289gagggacacacaaataat 3-11-4 GAGggacacacaaaTAAT 289_1 7311 −21 290atatagagaggctcaa 4-8-4 ATATagagaggcTCAA 290_1 7390 −21 291ttgatatagagaggct 2-10-4 TTgatatagagaGGCT 291_1 7393 −20 292gcatttgatatagaga 4-9-3 GCATttgatatagAGA 292_1 7397 −20 293tttgcatttgatatag 2-11-3 TTtgcatttgataTAG 293_1 7400 −15 294ctggaagaataggttc 3-11-2 CTGgaagaataggtTC 294_1 7512 −17 295actggaagaataggtt 4-10-2 ACTGgaagaataggTT 295_1 7513 −18 296tactggaagaataggt 4-10-2 TACTggaagaatagGT 296_1 7514 −18 297tggcttatcctgtact 4-10-2 TGGCttatcctgtaCT 297_1 7526 −25 298atggcttatcctgtac 2-10-4 ATggcttatcctGTAC 298_1 7527 −22 299tatggcttatcctgta 4-10-2 TATGgcttatcctgTA 299_1 7528 −22 300gtatggcttatcctgt 3-10-3 GTAtggcttatccTGT 300_1 7529 −23 301atgaatatatgcccagt 2-11-4 ATgaatatatgccCAGT 301_1 7547 −22 302gatgaatatatgccca 2-10-4 GAtgaatatatgCCCA 302_1 7549 −22 303caagatgaatatatgcc 3-10-4 CAAgatgaatataTGCC 303_1 7551 −21 304gacaacatcagtataga 4-9-4 GACAacatcagtaTAGA 304_1 7572 −22 305caagacaacatcagta 4-8-4 CAAGacaacatcAGTA 305_1 7576 −20 306cactcctagttccttt 3-10-3 CACtcctagttccTTT 306_1 7601 −22 307aacactcctagttcct 3-10-3 AACactcctagttCCT 307_1 7603 −22 308taacactcctagttcc 2-11-3 TAacactcctagtTCC 308_1 7604 −20 309ctaacactcctagttc 2-12-2 CTaacactcctagtTC 309_1 7605 −18 310tgataacataactgtg 2-12-2 TGataacataactgTG 310_1 7637 −13 311ctgataacataactgt 2-10-4 CTgataacataaCTGT 311_1 7638 −18 312tttgaactcaagtgac 4-10-2 TTTGaactcaagtgAC 312_1 7654 −16 313tcctttacttagctag 4-9-3 TCCTttacttagcTAG 313_1 7684 −23 314gagtttggattagctg 2-11-3 GAgtttggattagCTG 314_1 7764 −20 315tgggatatgacaggga 2-11-3 TGggatatgacagGGA 315_1 7838 −21 316tgtgggatatgacagg 4-10-2 TGTGggatatgacaGG 316_1 7840 −22 317atatggaagggatatc 4-10-2 ATATggaagggataTC 317_1 7875 −17 318acaggatatggaaggg 3-10-3 ACAggatatggaaGGG 318_1 7880 −21 319atttcaacaggatatgg 4-9-4 ATTTcaacaggatATGG 319_1 7885 −20 320gagtaatttcaacagg 2-11-3 GAgtaatttcaacAGG 320_1 7891 −17 321agggagtaatttcaaca 4-9-4 AGGGagtaatttcAACA 321_1 7893 −22 322attagggagtaatttca 4-9-4 ATTAgggagtaatTTCA 322_1 7896 −21 323cttactattagggagt 2-10-4 CTtactattaggGAGT 323_1 7903 −20 324cagcttactattaggg 2-11-3 CAgcttactattaGGG 324_1 7906 −20 326atttcagcttactattag 3-11-4 ATTtcagcttactaTTAG 326_1 7908 −20 325tcagcttactattagg 3-10-3 TCAgcttactattAGG 325_1 7907 −20 327ttcagcttactattag 2-10-4 TtcagcttactaTTAG 327_1 7908 −17 328cagatttcagcttact 4-10-2 CAGAtttcagcttaCT 328_1 7913 −21 329gactacaactagaggg 3-11-2 GACtacaactagagGG 329_1 7930 −19 330agactacaactagagg 4-10-2 AGACtacaactagaGG 330_1 7931 −19 331aagactacaactagag 2-12-2 AAgactacaactagAG 331_1 7932 −13 332atgatttaattctagtcaaa 4-12-4 ATGAtttaattctagtCAAA 332_1 7982 −20 333tttaattctagtcaaa 3-10-3 TTTaattctagtcAAA 333_1 7982 −12 334gatttaattctagtca 4-8-4 GATTtaattctaGTCA 334_1 7984 −20 771tgatttaattctagtca 3-10-4 TGAtttaattctaGTCA 771_1 7984 −20 335atgatttaattctagtca 4-11-3 ATGAtttaattctagTCA 335_1 7984 −20 336gatgatttaattctagtca 4-13-2 GATGatttaattctagtCA 336_1 7984 −20 337gatttaattctagtca 2-10-4 GAtttaattctaGTCA 337_1 7984 −18 338gatgatttaattctagtc 4-11-3 GATGatttaattctaGTC 338_1 7985 −20 339tgatttaattctagtc 2-12-2 TGatttaattctagTC 339_1 7985 −13 340gagatgatttaattcta 4-9-4 GAGAtgatttaatTCTA 340_1 7988 −20 341gagatgatttaattct 3-10-3 GAGatgatttaatTCT 341_1 7989 −16 342cagattgatggtagtt 4-10-2 CAGAttgatggtagTT 342_1 8030 −19 343ctcagattgatggtag 2-10-4 CTcagattgatgGTAG 343_1 8032 −20 344gttagccctcagattg 3-10-3 GTTagccctcagaTTG 344_1 8039 −23 345tgtattgttagccctc 2-10-4 TGtattgttagcCCTC 345_1 8045 −24 346acttgtattgttagcc 2-10-4 ACttgtattgttAGCC 346_1 8048 −22 347agccagtatcagggac 3-11-2 AGCcagtatcagggAC 347_1 8191 −23 348ttgacaatagtggcat 2-10-4 TTgacaatagtgGCAT 348_1 8213 −20 349acaagtggtatcttct 3-10-3 ACAagtggtatctTCT 349_1 8228 −19 350aatctactttacaagt 4-10-2 AATCtactttacaaGT 350_1 8238 −16 351cacagtagatgcctgata 2-12-4 CAcagtagatgcctGATA 351_1 8351 −24 352gaacacagtagatgcc 2-11-3 GAacacagtagatGCC 352_1 8356 −21 353cttggaacacagtagat 4-11-2 CTTGgaacacagtagAT 353_1 8359 −20 354atatcttggaacacag 3-10-3 ATAtcttggaacaCAG 354_1 8364 −18 355tctttaatatcttggaac 3-11-4 TCTttaatatcttgGAAC 355_1 8368 −19 356tgatttctttaatatcttg 2-13-4 TGatttctttaatatCTTG 356_1 8372 −19 357tgatgatttctttaatatc 2-13-4 TGatgatttctttaaTATC 357_1 8375 −18 358aggctaagtcatgatg 3-11-2 AGGctaagtcatgaTG 358_1 8389 −19 359ttgatgaggctaagtc 4-10-2 TTGAtgaggctaagTC 359_1 8395 −19 360ccaggattatactctt 3-11-2 CCAggattatactaT 360_1 8439 −20 361gccaggattatactct 2-10-4 GCcaggattataCTCT 361_1 8440 −23 362ctgccaggattatact 3-11-2 CTGccaggattataCT 362_1 8442 −21 363cagaaacttatactttatg 4-13-2 CAGAaacttatactttaTG 363_1 8473 −19 364aagcagaaacttatact 4-9-4 AAGCagaaacttaTACT 364_1 8478 −20 365gaagcagaaacttatact 3-11-4 GAAgcagaaacttaTACT 365_1 8478 −20 366tggaagcagaaacttatact 3-15-2 TGGaagcagaaacttataCT 366_1 8478 −21 367tggaagcagaaacttatac 3-13-3 TGGaagcagaaacttaTAC 367_1 8479 −20 368aagcagaaacttatac 2-11-3 AAgcagaaacttaTAC 368_1 8479 −13 369tggaagcagaaacttata 3-11-4 TGGaagcagaaactTATA 369_1 8480 −21 370aagggatattatggag 4-10-2 AAGGgatattatggAG 370_1 8587 −18 371tgccggaagatttcct 2-12-2 TGccggaagatttcCT 371_1 8641 −21 372atggattgggagtaga 4-10-2 ATGGattgggagtaGA 372_1 8772 −21 373agatggattgggagta 2-12-2 AGatggattgggagTA 373_1 8774 −18 374aagatggattgggagt 3-11-2 AAGatggattgggaGT 374_1 8775 −18 375acaagatggattggga 2-10-4 ACaagatggattGGGA 375_1 8777 −20 375acaagatggattggga 2-12-2 ACaagatggattggGA 375_2 8777 −17 376agaaggttcagacttt 3-9-4 AGAaggttcagaCTTT 376_1 8835 −20 377gcagaaggttcagact 2-11-3 GCagaaggttcagACT 377_1 8837 −21 377gcagaaggttcagact 3-11-2 GCAgaaggttcagaCT 377_2 8837 −22 378tgcagaaggttcagac 4-10-2 TGCAgaaggttcagAC 378_1 8838 −22 379agtgcagaaggttcag 2-11-3 AGtgcagaaggttCAG 379_1 8840 −20 379agtgcagaaggttcag 4-10-2 AGTGcagaaggttcAG 379_2 8840 −21 380aagtgcagaaggttca 4-10-2 AAGTgcagaaggttCA 380_1 8841 −20 381taagtgcagaaggttc 2-10-4 TAagtgcagaagGTTC 381_1 8842 −19 382tctaagtgcagaaggt 2-10-4 TCtaagtgcagaAGGT 382_1 8844 −21 383ctcaggagttctacttc 3-12-2 CTCaggagttctactTC 383_1 8948 −20 384ctcaggagttctactt 3-10-3 CTCaggagttctaCTT 384_1 8949 −21 385atggaggtgactcaggag 1-15-2 AtggaggtgactcaggAG 385_1 8957 −20 386atggaggtgactcagga 2-13-2 ATggaggtgactcagGA 386_1 8958 −21 387atggaggtgactcagg 2-11-3 ATggaggtgactcAGG 387_1 8959 −21 388tatggaggtgactcagg 2-12-3 TAtggaggtgactcAGG 388_1 8959 −21 389atatggaggtgactcagg 2-14-2 ATatggaggtgactcaGG 389_1 8959 −21 390tatggaggtgactcag 4-10-2 TATGgaggtgactcAG 390_1 8960 −21 391atatggaggtgactcag 2-11-4 ATatggaggtgacTCAG 391_1 8960 −22 392catatggaggtgactcag 2-14-2 CAtatggaggtgactcAG 392_1 8960 −20 393atatggaggtgactca 3-10-3 ATAtggaggtgacTCA 393_1 8961 −20 394catatggaggtgactca 2-12-3 CAtatggaggtgacTCA 394_1 8961 −21 395catatggaggtgactc 2-10-4 CAtatggaggtgACTC 395_1 8962 −20 396gcatatggaggtgactc 2-13-2 GCatatggaggtgacTC 396_1 8962 −21 397tgcatatggaggtgactc 2-14-2 TGcatatggaggtgacTC 397_1 8962 −21 398ttgcatatggaggtgactc 1-16-2 TtgcatatggaggtgacTC 398_1 8962 −20 399tttgcatatggaggtgactc 1-17-2 TttgcatatggaggtgacTC 399_1 8962 −21 400gcatatggaggtgact 2-12-2 GCatatggaggtgaCT 400_1 8963 −20 401tgcatatggaggtgact 2-13-2 TGcatatggaggtgaCT 401_1 8963 −20 402ttgcatatggaggtgact 3-13-2 TTGcatatggaggtgaCT 402_1 8963 −22 403tttgcatatggaggtgact 1-16-2 TttgcatatggaggtgaCT 403_1 8963 −20 404tgcatatggaggtgac 3-11-2 TGCatatggaggtgAC 404_1 8964 −20 405ttgcatatggaggtgac 3-11-3 TTGcatatggaggtGAC 405_1 8964 −21 406tttgcatatggaggtgac 4-12-2 TTTGcatatggaggtgAC 406_1 8964 −21 407tttgcatatggaggtga 4-11-2 TTTGcatatggaggtGA 407_1 8965 −21 408tttgcatatggaggtg 2-10-4 TTtgcatatggaGGTG 408_1 8966 −21 409aagtgaagttcaacagc 2-11-4 AAgtgaagttcaaCAGC 409_1 8997 −20 410tgggaagtgaagttca 2-10-4 TGggaagtgaagTTCA 410_1 9002 −20 411atgggaagtgaagttc 2-11-3 ATgggaagtgaagTTC 411_1 9003 −17 412gatgggaagtgaagtt 4-9-3 GATGggaagtgaaGTT 412_1 9004 −21 413ctgtgatgggaagtgaa 3-11-3 CTGtgatgggaagtGAA 413_1 9007 −20 414attgagtgaatccaaa 3-10-3 ATTgagtgaatccAAA 414_1 9119 −14 415aattgagtgaatccaa 2-10-4 AAttgagtgaatCCAA 415_1 9120 −16 416gataattgagtgaatcc 4-10-3 GATAattgagtgaaTCC 416_1 9122 −20 417gtgataattgagtgaa 3-10-3 GTGataattgagtGAA 417_1 9125 −16 418aagaaaggtgcaataa 3-10-3 AAGaaaggtgcaaTAA 418_1 9155 −14 419caagaaaggtgcaata 2-10-4 CAagaaaggtgcAATA 419_1 9156 −15 420acaagaaaggtgcaat 4-10-2 ACAAgaaaggtgcaAT 420_1 9157 −16 421atttaaactcacaaac 2-12-2 ATttaaactcacaaAC 421_1 9171 −10 422ctgttaggttcagcga 2-10-4 CTgttaggttcaGCGA 422_1 9235 −24 423tctgaatgaacatttcg 4-9-4 TCTGaatgaacatTTCG 423_1 9260 −20 424ctcattgaaggttctg 2-10-4 CTcattgaaggtTCTG 424_1 9281 −20 425ctaatctcattgaagg 3-11-2 CTAatctcattgaaGG 425_1 9286 −17 426cctaatctcattgaag 2-12-2 CCtaatctcattgaAG 426_1 9287 −16 427actttgatctttcagc 3-10-3 ACTttgatctttcAGC 427_1 9305 −20 428actatgcaacactttg 2-12-2 ACtatgcaacacttTG 428_1 9315 −15 429caaatagctttatcgg 3-10-3 CAAatagctttatCGG 429_1 9335 −17 430ccaaatagctttatcg 2-10-4 CCaaatagctttATCG 430_1 9336 −19 431tccaaatagctttatc 4-10-2 TCCAaatagctttaTC 431_1 9337 −18 432gatccaaatagcttta 4-10-2 GATCcaaatagcttTA 432_1 9339 −18 433atgatccaaatagctt 2-10-4 ATgatccaaataGCTT 433_1 9341 −19 434tatgatccaaatagct 4-10-2 TATGatccaaatagCT 434_1 9342 −18 435taaacagggctgggaat 4-9-4 TAAAcagggctggGAAT 435_1 9408 −22 436acttaaacagggctgg 2-10-4 ACttaaacagggCTGG 436_1 9412 −21 437acacttaaacagggct 2-10-4 ACacttaaacagGGCT 437_1 9414 −22 438gaacacttaaacaggg 4-8-4 GAACacttaaacAGGG 438_1 9416 −20 439agagaacacttaaacag 4-9-4 AGAGaacacttaaACAG 439_1 9418 −20 440ctacagagaacactta 4-8-4 CTACagagaacaCTTA 440_1 9423 −20 441atgctacagagaacact 3-10-4 ATGctacagagaaCACT 441_1 9425 −22 442ataaatgctacagagaaca 4-11-4 ATAAatgctacagagAACA 442_1 9427 −20 443agataaatgctacagaga 2-12-4 AGataaatgctacaGAGA 443_1 9430 −20 444tagagataaatgctaca 4-9-4 TAGAgataaatgcTACA 444_1 9434 −21 445tagatagagataaatgct 4-11-3 TAGAtagagataaatGCT 445_1 9437 −20 446caatatactagatagaga 4-10-4 CAATatactagataGAGA 446_1 9445 −21 447tacacaatatactagatag 4-11-4 TACAcaatatactagATAG 447_1 9448 −21 448ctacacaatatactag 3-10-3 CTAcacaatatacTAG 448_1 9452 −16 449gctacacaatatacta 4-8-4 GCTAcacaatatACTA 449_1 9453 −21 450atatgctacacaatatac 4-10-4 ATATgctacacaatATAC 450_1 9455 −20 451tgatatgctacacaat 4-8-4 TGATatgctacaCAAT 451_1 9459 −20 452atgatatgatatgctac 4-9-4 ATGAtatgatatgCTAC 452_1 9464 −21 453gaggagagagacaataaa 4-10-4 GAGGagagagacaaTAAA 453_1 9495 −20 454ctaggaggagagagaca 3-11-3 CTAggaggagagagACA 454_1 9500 −22 455tattctaggaggagaga 4-10-3 TATTctaggaggagAGA 455_1 9504 −21 456ttatattctaggaggag 4-10-3 TTATattctaggagGAG 456_1 9507 −21 457gtttatattctaggag 3-9-4 GTTtatattctaGGAG 457_1 9510 −20 458tggagtttatattctagg 2-12-4 TGgagtttatattcTAGG 458_1 9512 −22 459cgtaccaccactctgc 2-11-3 CGtaccaccactcTGC 459_1 9590 −25 460tgaggaaatcattcattc 4-10-4 TGAGgaaatcattcATTC 460_1 9641 −22 461tttgaggaaatcattcat 4-10-4 TTTGaggaaatcatTCAT 461_1 9643 −20 462aggctaatcctatttg 4-10-2 AGGCtaatcctattTG 462_1 9657 −22 463tttaggctaatcctat 4-8-4 TTTAggctaatcCTAT 463_1 9660 −22 464tgctccagtgtaccct 3-11-2 TGCtccagtgtaccCT 464_1 9755 −27 465tagtagtactcgatag 2-10-4 TAgtagtactcgATAG 465_1 9813 −18 466ctaattgtagtagtactc 3-12-3 CTAattgtagtagtaCTC 466_1 9818 −20 467tgctaattgtagtagt 2-10-4 TGctaattgtagTAGT 467_1 9822 −19 468agtgctaattgtagta 4-10-2 AGTGctaattgtagTA 468_1 9824 −19 469gcaagtgctaattgta 4-10-2 GCAAgtgctaattgTA 469_1 9827 −20 470gaggaaatgaactaattta 4-13-2 GAGGaaatgaactaattTA 470_1 9881 −18 471caggaggaaatgaacta 4-11-2 CAGGaggaaatgaacTA 471_1 9886 −19 472ccctagagtcatttcc 2-11-3 CCctagagtcattTCC 472_1 9902 −24 473atcttacatgatgaagc 3-11-3 ATCttacatgatgaAGC 473_1 9925 −20 475agacacactcagatttcag 2-15-2 AGacacactcagatttcAG 475_1 9967 −20 474gacacactcagatttcag 3-13-2 GACacactcagatttcAG 474_1 9967 −20 476aagacacactcagatttcag 3-15-2 AAGacacactcagatttcAG 476_1 9967 −21 477agacacactcagatttca 2-13-3 AGacacactcagattTCA 477_1 9968 −20 478aagacacactcagatttca 3-13-3 AAGacacactcagattTCA 478_1 9968 −21 479aaagacacactcagatttca 2-14-4 AAagacacactcagatTTCA 479_1 9968 −20 480gaaagacacactcagatttc 3-14-3 GAAagacacactcagatTTC 480_1 9969 −20 481aagacacactcagatttc 4-11-3 AAGAcacactcagatTTC 481_1 9969 −21 482aaagacacactcagatttc 4-11-4 AAAGacacactcagaTTTC 482_1 9969 −20 483tgaaagacacactcagattt 4-14-2 TGAAagacacactcagatTT 483_1 9970 −20 484tgaaagacacactcagatt 2-13-4 TGaaagacacactcaGATT 484_1 9971 −21 485tgaaagacacactcagat 3-12-3 TGAaagacacactcaGAT 485_1 9972 −20 486attgaaagacacactca 4-10-3 ATTGaaagacacacTCA 486_1 9975 −19 487tcattgaaagacacact 2-11-4 TCattgaaagacaCACT 487_1 9977 −18 488ttccatcattgaaaga 3-9-4 TTCcatcattgaAAGA 488_1 9983 −18 489ataataccacttatcat 4-9-4 ATAAtaccacttaTCAT 489_1 10010 −20 490ttacttaatttctttgga 2-12-4 TTacttaatttcttTGGA 490_1 10055 −20 491ttagaactagctttatca 3-12-3 TTAgaactagctttaTCA 491_1 10101 −20 492gaggtacaaatatagg 3-10-3 GAGgtacaaatatAGG 492_1 10171 −18 493cttatgatacaactta 3-10-3 CTTatgatacaacTTA 493_1 10384 −15 494tcttatgatacaactt 2-11-3 TCttatgatacaaCTT 494_1 10385 −15 495ttcttatgatacaact 3-11-2 TTCttatgatacaaCT 495_1 10386 −15 496cagtttcttatgatac 2-11-3 CAgtttcttatgaTAC 496_1 10390 −16 497gcagtttcttatgata 3-11-2 GCAgtttcttatgaTA 497_1 10391 −19 498tacaaatgtctattaggtt 4-12-3 TACAaatgtctattagGTT 498_1 10457 −21 499tgtacaaatgtctattag 4-11-3 TGTAcaaatgtctatTAG 499_1 10460 −20 500agcatcacaattagta 3-11-2 AGCatcacaattagTA 500_1 10535 −18 501ctaatgatagtgaagc 3-11-2 CTAatgatagtgaaGC 501_1 10548 −17 502agctaatgatagtgaa 3-11-2 AGCtaatgatagtgAA 502_1 10550 −16 503atgccttgacatatta 4-10-2 ATGCcttgacatatTA 503_1 10565 −20 504ctcaagattattgacac 4-9-4 CTCAagattattgACAC 504_1 10623 −20 505acctcaagattattga 2-10-4 ACctcaagattaTTGA 505_2 10626 −18 505acctcaagattattga 3-9-4 ACCtcaagattaTTGA SOS_1 10626 −20 506aacctcaagattattg 4-10-2 AACCtcaagattatTG 506_1 10627 −17 507cacaaacctcaagattatt 4-13-2 CACAaacctcaagattaTT 507_1 10628 −20 508gtacttaattagacct 3-9-4 GTActtaattagACCT 508_1 10667 −21 509agtacttaattagacc 4-9-3 AGTActtaattagACC 509_1 10668 −20 510gtatgaggtggtaaac 4-10-2 GTATgaggtggtaaAC 510_1 10688 −18 511aggaaacagcagaagtg 2-11-4 AGgaaacagcagaAGTG 511_1 10723 −21 512gcacaacccagaggaa 2-12-2 GCacaacccagaggAA 512_1 10735 −20 513caagcacaacccagag 3-11-2 CAAgcacaacccagAG 513_1 10738 −20 514ttcaagcacaacccag 3-10-3 TTCaagcacaaccCAG 514_1 10740 −21 515aattcaagcacaaccc 2-10-4 AAttcaagcacaACCC 515_1 10742 −20 516taataattcaagcacaacc 4-13-2 TAATaattcaagcacaaCC 516_1 10743 −20 517actaataattcaagcac 4-9-4 ACTAataattcaaGCAC 517_1 10747 −20 518ataatactaataattcaagc 4-12-4 ATAAtactaataattcAAGC 518_1 10749 −19 519tagatttgtgaggtaa 2-10-4 TAgatttgtgagGTAA 519_1 11055 −18 520agccttaattctccat 4-10-2 AGCCttaattctccAT 520_1 11091 −24 521aatgatctagagcctta 4-9-4 AATGatctagagcCTTA 521_1 11100 −22 522ctaatgatctagagcc 3-10-3 CTAatgatctagaGCC 522_1 11103 −22 523actaatgatctagagc 3-9-4 ACTaatgatctaGAGC 523_1 11104 −21 524cattaacatgttcttatt 3-11-4 CATtaacatgttctTATT 524_1 11165 −19 525acaagtacattaacatgttc 4-12-4 ACAAgtacattaacatGTTC 525_1 11170 −22 526ttacaagtacattaacatg 4-11-4 TTACaagtacattaaCATG 526_1 11173 −20 527gctttattcatgtttat 4-9-4 GCTTtattcatgtTTAT 527_1 11195 −22 528gctttattcatgttta 3-11-2 GCTttattcatgttTA 528_1 11196 −18 529agagctttattcatgttt 3-13-2 AGAgctttattcatgtTT 529_1 11197 −20 530ataagagctttattcatg 4-10-4 ATAAgagctttattCATG 530_1 11200 −21 531cataagagctttattca 4-9-4 CATAagagctttaTTCA 531_1 11202 −21 532agcataagagctttat 4-8-4 AGCAtaagagctTTAT 532_1 11205 −22 533tagattgtttagtgca 3-10-3 TAGattgtttagtGCA 533_1 11228 −20 534gtagattgtttagtgc 2-10-4 GTagattgtttaGTGC 534_1 11229 −21 535gacaattctagtagatt 4-9-4 GACAattctagtaGATT 535_1 11238 −21 536ctgacaattctagtag 3-9-4 CTGacaattctaGTAG 536_1 11241 −20 537gctgacaattctagta 4-10-2 GCTGacaattctagTA 537_1 11242 −21 538aggattaagatacgta 2-12-2 AGgattaagatacgTA 538_1 11262 −15 539caggattaagatacgt 2-11-3 CAggattaagataCGT 539_1 11263 −17 540tcaggattaagatacg 3-11-2 TCAggattaagataCG 540_1 11264 −16 541ttcaggattaagatac 2-10-4 TTcaggattaagATAC 541_1 11265 −15 542aggaagaaagtttgattc 4-10-4 AGGAagaaagtttgATTC 542_1 11308 −21 543tcaaggaagaaagtttga 4-10-4 TCAAggaagaaagtTTGA 543_1 11311 −20 544ctcaaggaagaaagtttg 4-10-4 CTCAaggaagaaagTTTG 544_1 11312 −20 545tgctcaaggaagaaagt 3-10-4 TGCtcaaggaagaAAGT 545_1 11315 −21 546aattatgctcaaggaaga 4-11-3 AATTatgctcaaggaAGA 546_1 11319 −20 547taggataccacattatga 4-12-2 TAGGataccacattatGA 547_1 11389 −22 548cataatttattccattcctc 2-15-3 CAtaatttattccattcCTC 548_1 11449 −22 549tgcataatttattccat 4-10-3 TGCAtaatttattcCAT 549_1 11454 −22 550actgcataatttattcc 4-10-3 ACTGcataatttatTCC 550_1 11456 −21 551ctaaactgcataatttatt 4-11-4 CTAAactgcataattTATT 551_1 11458 −20 552ataactaaactgcata 2-10-4 ATaactaaactgCATA 552_1 11465 −16 553ttattaataactaaactgc 3-12-4 TTAttaataactaaaCTGC 553_1 11468 −19 554tagtacattattaataact 4-13-2 TAGTacattattaataaCT 554_1 11475 −18 555cataactaaggacgtt 4-10-2 CATAactaaggacgTT 555_1 11493 −17 556tcataactaaggacgt 2-11-3 TCataactaaggaCGT 556_1 11494 −16 557cgtcataactaaggac 4-10-2 CGTCataactaaggAC 557_1 11496 −17 558tcgtcataactaagga 2-12-2 TCgtcataactaagGA 558_1 11497 −16 559atcgtcataactaagg 2-10-4 ATcgtcataactAAGG 559_1 11498 −17 560gttagtatcttacatt 2-11-3 GTtagtatcttacATT 560_1 11525 −15 561ctctattgttagtatc 3-10-3 CTCtattgttagtATC 561_1 11532 −17 562agtatagagttactgt 3-10-3 AGTatagagttacTGT 562_1 11567 −19 563ttcctggtgatacttt 4-10-2 TTCCtggtgatactTT 563_1 11644 −21 564gttcctggtgatactt 4-10-2 GTTCctggtgatacTT 564_1 11645 −21 565tgttcctggtgatact 2-12-2 TGttcctggtgataCT 565_1 11646 −20 566ataaacatgaatctctcc 2-12-4 ATaaacatgaatctCTCC 566_1 11801 −20 567ctttataaacatgaatctc 3-12-4 CTTtataaacatgaaTCTC 567_1 11804 −19 568ctgtctttataaacatg 3-10-4 CTGtctttataaaCATG 568_1 11810 −19 569ttgttataaatctgtctt 2-12-4 TTgttataaatctgTCTT 569_1 11820 −18 570ttaaatttattcttggata 3-12-4 TTAaatttattcttgGATA 570_1 11849 −19 571cttaaatttattcttgga 2-12-4 CTtaaatttattctTGGA 571_1 11851 −19 572cttcttaaatttattcttg 4-13-2 CTTCttaaatttattctTG 572_1 11853 −18 573tatgtttctcagtaaag 4-9-4 TATGtttctcagtAAAG 573_1 11877 −19 574gaattatctttaaacca 3-10-4 GAAttatctttaaACCA 574_1 11947 −18 575cccttaaatttctaca 3-11-2 CCCttaaatttctaCA 575_1 11980 −20 576acactgctcttgtacc 4-10-2 ACACtgctcttgtaCC 576_1 11995 −23 577tgacaacactgctctt 3-10-3 TGAcaacactgctCTT 577_1 12000 −21 578tacatttattgggctc 4-10-2 TACAtttattgggcTC 578_1 12081 −19 579gtacatttattgggct 2-10-4 GTacatttattgGGCT 579_1 12082 −23 580ttggtacatttattgg 3-10-3 TTGgtacatttatTGG 580_1 12085 −18 581catgttggtacatttat 4-10-3 CATGttggtacattTAT 581_1 12088 −21 582aatcatgttggtacat 4-10-2 AATCatgttggtacAT 582_1 12092 −16 583aaatcatgttggtaca 2-12-2 AAatcatgttggtaCA 583_1 12093 −14 584gacaagtttggattaa 3-11-2 GACaagtttggattAA 584_1 12132 −14 585aatgttcagatgcctc 2-10-4 AAtgttcagatgCCTC 585_1 12197 −21 586gcttaatgttcagatg 2-12-2 GCttaatgttcagaTG 586_1 12201 −17 587cgtacatagcttgatg 4-10-2 CGTAcatagcttgaTG 587_1 12267 −20 588gtgaggaattaggata 3-11-2 GTGaggaattaggaTA 588_1 12753 −17 589gtaacaatatggtttg 3-11-2 GTAacaatatggttTG 589_1 12780 −15 590gaaatattgtagacta 2-11-3 GAaatattgtagaCTA 590_1 13151 −14 591ttgaaatattgtagac 3-11-2 TTGaaatattgtagAC 591_1 13153 −12 592aagtctagtaatttgc 2-10-4 AAgtctagtaatTTGC 592_1 13217 −17 593gctcagtagattataa 4-10-2 GCTCagtagattatAA 593_1 13259 −17 594catacactgttgctaa 3-10-3 CATacactgttgcTAA 594_1 13296 −19 595atggtctcaaatcatt 3-10-3 ATGgtctcaaatcATT 595_1 13314 −17 596caatggtctcaaatca 4-10-2 CAATggtctcaaatCA 596_1 13316 −18 597ttcctattgattgact 4-10-2 TTCCtattgattgaCT 597_1 13568 −20 598tttctgttcacaacac 4-10-2 TTTCtgttcacaacAC 598_1 13600 −17 599aggaacccactaatct 2-11-3 AGgaacccactaaTCT 599_1 13702 −20 600taaatggcaggaaccc 3-11-2 TAAatggcaggaacCC 600_1 13710 −19 601gtaaatggcaggaacc 4-10-2 GTAAatggcaggaaCC 601_1 13711 −20 602ttgtaaatggcaggaa 2-11-3 TTgtaaatggcagGAA 602_1 13713 −16 603ttatgagttaggcatg 2-10-4 TTatgagttaggCATG 603_1 13835 −19 604ccaggtgaaactttaa 3-11-2 CCAggtgaaactttAA 604_1 13935 −17 605cccttagtcagctcct 3-10-3 CCCttagtcagctCCT 605_1 13997 −30 606acccttagtcagctcc 2-10-4 ACccttagtcagCTCC 606_1 13998 −27 607cacccttagtcagctc 2-11-3 CAcccttagtcagCTC 607_1 13999 −24 608tctcttactaggctcc 3-10-3 TCTcttactaggcTCC 608_1 14091 −24 609cctatctgtcatcatg 2-11-3 CCtatctgtcatcATG 609_1 14178 −20 610tcctatctgtcatcat 3-11-2 TCCtatctgtcatcAT 610_1 14179 −20 611gagaagtgtgagaagc 3-11-2 GAGaagtgtgagaaGC 611_1 14808 −19 612catccttgaagtttag 4-10-2 CATCcttgaagtttAG 612_1 14908 −19 613taataagatggctccc 3-10-3 TAAtaagatggctCCC 613_1 15046 −21 614caaggcataataagat 3-11-2 CAAggcataataagAT 614_1 15053 −14 615ccaaggcataataaga 2-10-4 CCaaggcataatAAGA 615_1 15054 −18 616tgatccaattctcacc 2-12-2 TGatccaattctcaCC 616_1 15151 −19 617atgatccaattctcac 3-10-3 ATGatccaattctCAC 617_1 15152 −19 618cgcttcatcttcaccc 3-11-2 CGCttcatcttcacCC 618_1 15260 −26 619tatgacactgcatctt 2-10-4 TAtgacactgcaTCTT 619_1 15317 −19 620gtatgacactgcatct 3-10-3 GTAtgacactgcaTCT 620_1 15318 −21 621tgtatgacactgcatc 2-10-4 TGtatgacactgCATC 621_1 15319 −20 622ttctcttctgtaagtc 4-10-2 TTCTcttctgtaagTC 622_1 15363 −19 623ttctacagaggaacta 2-10-4 TTctacagaggaACTA 623_1 15467 −17 624actacagttctacaga 3-10-3 ACTacagttctacAGA 624_1 15474 −19 625ttcccacaggtaaatg 4-10-2 TTCCcacaggtaaaTG 625_1 15561 −21 626attatttgaatatactcatt 4-12-4 ATTAtttgaatatactCATT 626_1 15594 −20 627tgggaggaaattatttg 4-10-3 TGGGaggaaattatTTG 627_1 15606 −20 628tgactcatcttaaatg 4-10-2 TGACtcatcttaaaTG 628_1 15621 −17 629ctgactcatcttaaat 3-11-2 CTGactcatcttaaAT 629_1 15622 −16 630tttactctgactcatc 3-10-3 TTTactctgactcATC 630_1 15628 −17 631tattggaggaattatt 3-11-2 TATtggaggaattaTT 631_1 15642 −14 632gtattggaggaattat 3-11-2 GTAttggaggaattAT 632_1 15643 −16 633tggtatacttctctaagtat 2-15-3 TGgtatacttctctaagTAT 633_1 15655 −22 634gatctcttggtatact 4-10-2 GATCtcttggtataCT 634_1 15666 −20 635cagacaactctatacc 2-12-2 CAgacaactctataCC 635_1 15689 −18 636aacatcagacaactcta 4-9-4 AACAtcagacaacTCTA 636_1 15693 −21 637taacatcagacaactc 4-10-2 TAACatcagacaacTC 637_1 15695 −16 638tttaacatcagacaactc 4-10-4 TTTAacatcagacaACTC 638_1 15695 −20 639atttaacatcagacaa 2-12-2 ATttaacatcagacAA 639_1 15698 −11 640cctatttaacatcagac 2-11-4 CCtatttaacatcAGAC 640_1 15700 −20 641tccctatttaacatca 3-10-3 TCCctatttaacaTCA 641_1 15703 −21 642tcaacgactattggaat 4-9-4 TCAAcgactattgGAAT 642_1 15737 −20 643cttatattctggctat 4-9-3 CTTAtattctggcTAT 643_1 15850 −20 644atccttatattctggc 4-10-2 ATCCttatattctgGC 644_1 15853 −23 645gatccttatattctgg 2-10-4 GAtccttatattCTGG 645_1 15854 −21 646tgatccttatattctg 3-10-3 TGAtccttatattCTG 646_1 15855 −19 647attgaaacttgatcct 4-8-4 ATTGaaacttgaTCCT 647_1 15864 −21 648actgtcattgaaactt 2-10-4 ACtgtcattgaaACTT 648_1 15870 −16 649tcttactgtcattgaa 3-11-2 TCTtactgtcattgAA 649_1 15874 −16 650aggatcttactgtcatt 2-11-4 AGgatcttactgtCATT 650_1 15877 −21 651gcaaatcaactccatc 3-10-3 GCAaatcaactccATC 651_1 15896 −20 652gtgcaaatcaactcca 3-10-3 GTGcaaatcaactCCA 652_1 15898 −22 653caattatttctttgtgc 4-10-3 CAATtatttctttgTGC 653_1 15910 −21 654tggcaacaattatttctt 3-11-4 TGGcaacaattattTCTT 654_1 15915 −21 655gctggcaacaattatt 3-9-4 GCTggcaacaatTATT 655_1 15919 −21 656atccatttctactgcc 4-10-2 ATCCatttctactgCC 656_1 15973 −24 657taatatctattgatttcta 4-11-4 TAATatctattgattTCTA 657_1 15988 −20 658tcaatagtgtagggca 2-12-2 TCaatagtgtagggCA 658_1 16093 −18 659ttcaatagtgtagggc 3-11-2 TTCaatagtgtaggGC 659_1 16094 −19 660aggttaattaattcaatag 4-11-4 AGGTtaattaattcaATAG 660_1 16102 −21 661catttgtaatccctag 3-10-3 CATttgtaatcccTAG 661_2 16163 −20 661catttgtaatccctag 3-9-4 CATttgtaatccCTAG 661_1 16163 −22 662acatttgtaatcccta 3-10-3 ACAtttgtaatccCTA 662_1 16164 −20 663aacatttgtaatccct 2-10-4 AAcatttgtaatCCCT 663_2 16165 −21 663aacatttgtaatccct 3-9-4 AACatttgtaatCCCT 663_1 16165 −22 664taaatttcaagttctg 2-11-3 TAaatttcaagttCTG 664_1 16184 −14 665gtttaaatttcaagttct 3-11-4 GTTtaaatttcaagTTCT 665_1 16185 −19 666ccaagtttaaatttcaag 4-10-4 CCAAgtttaaatttCAAG 666_1 16189 −21 667acccaagtttaaatttc 4-9-4 ACCCaagtttaaaTTTC 667_1 16192 −22 668catacagtgacccaagttt 2-14-3 CAtacagtgacccaagTTT 668_1 16199 −23 669acatcccatacagtga 2-11-3 ACatcccatacagTGA 669_1 16208 −21 670agcacagctctacatc 2-10-4 AGcacagctctaCATC 670_1 16219 −22 671atatagcacagctcta 3-9-4 ATAtagcacagcTCTA 671_1 16223 −21 672tccatatagcacagct 3-11-2 TCCatatagcacagCT 672_1 16226 −22 673atttccatatagcaca 3-9-4 ATTtccatatagCACA 673_1 16229 −20 674tttatttccatatagca 4-9-4 TTTAtttccatatAGCA 674_1 16231 −22 675tttatttccatatagc 3-10-3 TTTatttccatatAGC 675_1 16232 −18 676aaggagaggagattatg 4-9-4 AAGGagaggagatTATG 676_1 16409 −21 677agttcttgtgttagct 3-11-2 AGTtcttgtgttagCT 677_1 16456 −21 678gagttcttgtgttagc 2-12-2 GAgttcttgtgttaGC 678_1 16457 −20 679attaattatccatccac 3-10-4 ATTaattatccatCCAC 679_1 16590 −21 680atcaattaattatccatc 3-11-4 ATCaattaattatcCATC 680_1 16593 −19 681agaatcaattaattatcc 3-12-3 AGAatcaattaattaTCC 681_1 16596 −18 682tgagataccgtgcatg 2-12-2 TGagataccgtgcaTG 682_1 16656 −18 683aatgagataccgtgca 2-10-4 AAtgagataccgTGCA 683_1 16658 −21 684ctgtggttaggctaat 3-11-2 CTGtggttaggctaAT 684_1 16834 −19 685aagagtaagggtctgtggtt 1-17-2 AagagtaagggtctgtggTT 685_1 16842 −21 686gatgggttaagagtaa 4-9-3 GATGggttaagagTAA 686_1 16854 −19 687agcagatgggttaaga 3-11-2 AGCagatgggttaaGA 687_1 16858 −20 688tgtaaacatttgtagc 2-10-4 TGtaaacatttgTAGC 688_1 16886 −19 689cctgcttataaatgta 3-11-2 CCTgcttataaatgTA 689_1 16898 −19 690tgccctgcttataaat 4-10-2 TGCCctgcttataaAT 690_1 16901 −23 691tcttcttagttcaata 2-12-2 TCttcttagttcaaTA 691_1 16935 −15 692tggtttctaactacat 2-10-4 TGgtttctaactACAT 692_1 16980 −18 693agtttggtttctaacta 2-12-3 AGtttggtttctaaCTA 693_1 16983 −19 694gaatgaaacttgcctg 3-10-3 GAAtgaaacttgcCTG 694_1 17047 −18 695attatccttacatgat 3-10-3 ATTatccttacatGAT 695_1 17173 −17 696gtacccaattatcctt 2-11-3 GTacccaattatcCTT 696_1 17180 −21 697tgtacccaattatcct 3-10-3 TGTacccaattatCCT 697_1 17181 −24 698ttgtacccaattatcc 2-11-3 TTgtacccaattaTCC 698_1 17182 −20 699tttgtacccaattatc 3-11-2 TTTgtacccaattaTC 699_1 17183 −17 700agcagcaggttatatt 4-10-2 AGCAgcaggttataTT 700_1 17197 −22 701tgggaagtggtctggg 3-10-3 TGGgaagtggtctGGG 701_1 17292 −25 702ctggagagtgataata 3-11-2 CTGgagagtgataaTA 702_1 17322 −17 703aatgctggattacgtc 4-10-2 AATGctggattacgTC 703_1 17354 −19 704caatgctggattacgt 2-11-3 CAatgctggattaCGT 704_1 17355 −19 705ttgttcagaagtatcc 2-10-4 TTgttcagaagtATCC 705_1 17625 −19 706gatgatttgcttggag 2-10-4 GAtgatttgcttGGAG 706_1 17646 −21 707gaaatcattcacaacc 3-10-3 GAAatcattcacaACC 707_1 17860 −17 708ttgtaacatctactac 3-10-3 TTGtaacatctacTAC 708_1 17891 −16 709cattaagcagcaagtt 3-11-2 CATtaagcagcaagTT 709_1 17923 −17 710ttactagatgtgagca 3-11-2 TTActagatgtgagCA 710_1 17942 −18 711tttactagatgtgagc 2-11-3 TTtactagatgtgAGC 711_1 17943 −18 712gaccaagcaccttaca 3-11-2 GACcaagcaccttaCA 712_1 17971 −22 713agaccaagcaccttac 3-10-3 AGAccaagcacctTAC 713_1 17972 −22 714atgggttaaataaagg 2-10-4 ATgggttaaataAAGG 714_1 18052 −15 715tcaaccagagtattaa 2-12-2 TCaaccagagtattAA 715_1 18067 −13 716gtcaaccagagtatta 3-11-2 GTCaaccagagtatTA 716_1 18068 −18 717attgtaaagctgatat 2-11-3 ATtgtaaagctgaTAT 717_1 18135 −14 718cacataattgtaaagc 2-10-4 CAcataattgtaAAGC 718_1 18141 −16 719gaggtctgctatttac 2-11-3 GAggtctgctattTAC 719_1 18274 −19 720tgtagattcaatgcct 2-11-3 TGtagattcaatgCCT 720_1 18404 −20 721cctcattatactatga 2-11-3 CCtcattatactaTGA 721_1 18456 −19 722ccttatgctatgacac 2-12-2 CCttatgctatgacAC 722_1 18509 −18 723tccttatgctatgaca 4-10-2 TCCTtatgctatgaCA 723_1 18510 −22 724aagatgtttaagtata 3-10-3 AAGatgtttaagtATA 724_1 18598 −13 725ctgattattaagatgt 2-10-4 CTgattattaagATGT 725_1 18607 −17 726tggaaaggtatgaatt 2-12-2 TGgaaaggtatgaaTT 726_1 18808 −13 727acttgaatggcttgga 2-12-2 ACttgaatggcttgGA 727_1 18880 −18 728aacttgaatggcttgg 3-10-3 AACttgaatggctTGG 728_1 18881 −19 729caatgtgttactattt 4-10-2 CAATgtgttactatTT 729_1 19004 −16 730acaatgtgttactatt 3-10-3 ACAatgtgttactATT 730_1 19005 −15 731catctgctatataaga 4-10-2 CATCtgctatataaGA 731_1 19063 −18 732cctagagcaaatactt 4-10-2 CCTAgagcaaatacTT 732_1 19223 −20 733cagagttaataataag 3-10-3 CAGagttaataatAAG 733_1 19327 −13 734gttcaagcacaacgaa 4-10-2 GTTCaagcacaacgAA 734_1 19493 −18 735agggttcaagcacaac 2-11-3 AGggttcaagcacAAC 735_1 19496 −18 736tgttggagacactgtt 2-12-2 TGttggagacactgTT 736_1 19677 −17 737aaggaggagttaggac 3-11-2 AAGgaggagttaggAC 737_1 19821 −18 738ctatgccatttacgat 4-10-2 CTATgccatttacgAT 738_1 19884 −21 739tcaaatgcagaattag 2-12-2 TCaaatgcagaattAG 739_1 19913 −12 740agtgacaatcaaatgc 2-10-4 AGtgacaatcaaATGC 740_1 19921 −18 741aagtgacaatcaaatg 2-11-3 AAgtgacaatcaaATG 741_1 19922 −12 742gtgtaccaagtaacaa 3-11-2 GTGtaccaagtaacAA 742_1 19978 −16 743tgggatgttaaactga 3-10-3 TGGgatgttaaacTGA 743_1 20037 −20

Motif sequences represent the contiguous sequence of nucleobases presentin the oligonucleotide.

Designs refer to the gapmer design, F-G-F′, where each number representsthe number of consecutive modified nucleosides, e.g. 2′ modifiednucleosides (first number=5′ flank), followed by the number of DNAnucleosides (second number=gap region), followed by the number ofmodified nucleosides, e.g. 2′ modified nucleosides (third number=3′flank), optionally preceded by or followed by further repeated regionsof DNA and LNA, which are not necessarily part of the contiguoussequence that is complementary to the target nucleic acid.

Oligonucleotide compounds represent specific designs of a motifsequence. Capital letters represent beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides,lowercase letters represent DNA nucleosides, all LNA C are 5-methylcytosine, all internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioateinternucleoside linkages.

TABLE 6Oligonucleotides targeting mouse PD-L1 transcript (SEQ ID NO: 4) designs of these,as well as specific oligonucleotide compounds (indicated by CMP ID NO) designed based onthe motif sequence. SEQ Oligonucleotide CMP Start on SEQ ID NOMotif sequence Design Compound ID NO ID NO: 4 dG 744 agtttacattttctgc3-10-3 AGTttacattttcTGC 744_1 4189 −20 745 tatgtgaagaggagag 3-10-3TATgtgaagaggaGAG 745_1 7797 −19 746 cacctttaaaacccca 3-10-3CACctttaaaaccCCA 746_1 9221 −23 747 tcctttataatcacac 3-10-3TCCtttataatcaCAC 747_1 10386 −19 748 acggtattttcacagg 3-10-3ACGgtattttcacAGG 748_1 12389 −21 749 gacactacaatgagga 3-10-3GACactacaatgaGGA 749_1 15088 −20 750 tggtttttaggactgt 3-10-3TGGtttttaggacTGT 750_1 16410 −21 751 cgacaaattctatcct 3-10-3CGAcaaattctatCCT 751_1 18688 −20 752 tgatatacaatgctac 3-10-3TGAtatacaatgcTAC 752_1 18735 −16 753 tcgttgggtaaattta 3-10-3TCGttgggtaaatTTA 753_1 19495 −17 754 tgctttataaatggtg 3-10-3TGCtttataaatgGTG 754_1 19880 −19

Motif sequences represent the contiguous sequence of nucleobases presentin the oligonucleotide.

Designs refer to the gapmer design, F-G-F′, where each number representsthe number of consecutive modified nucleosides, e.g. 2′ modifiednucleosides (first number=5′ flank), followed by the number of DNAnucleosides (second number=gap region), followed by the number ofmodified nucleosides, e.g. 2′ modified nucleosides (third number=3′flank), optionally preceded by or followed by further repeated regionsof DNA and LNA, which are not necessarily part of the contiguoussequence that is complementary to the target nucleic acid.

Oligonucleotide compounds represent specific designs of a motifsequence. Capital letters represent beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides,lowercase letters represent DNA nucleosides, all LNA C are 5-methylcytosine, all internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioateinternucleoside linkages.

TABLE 7 Oligonucleotide motif sequences and antisense compounds with 5′ca biocleavable linker. SEQ oligonucleotide CMP ID compound ID NOmotif sequence with ca linker NO 755 caagtttacattttctgcc_(o)a_(o)AGTttacattttcTGC 755_1 756 catatgtgaagaggagagc_(o)a_(o)TATgtgaagaggaGAG 756_1 757 cacctttaaaaccccac_(o)a_(o)CACctttaaaaccCCA 757_1 758 catcctttataatcacacc_(o)a_(o)TCCtttataatcaCAC 758_1 759 caacggtattttcacaggc_(o)a_(o)ACGgtattttcacAGG 759_2 760 cagacactacaatgaggac_(o)a_(o)GACactacaatgaGGA 760_2 761 catggtttttaggactgtc_(o)a_(o)TGGtttttaggacTGT 761 1 762 cacgacaaattctatcctc_(o)a_(o)CGAcaaattctatCCT 762_2 763 catgatatacaatgctacc_(o)a_(o)TGAtatacaatgcTAC 763_2 764 catcgttgggtaaatttac_(o)a_(o)TCGttgggtaaatTTA 764_2 765 catgctttataaatggtgc_(o)a_(o)TGCtttataaatgGTG 765_2 766 caacaaataatggttactctc_(o)a_(o)ACAAataatggttaCTCT 766_2 767 cacagattgatggtagttc_(o)a_(o)CAGAttgatggtagTT 767_2 768 cacctatttaacatcagacc_(o)a_(o)CCtatttaacatcAGAC 768_2 769 cactaattgtagtagtactcc_(o)a_(o)CTAattgtagtagtaCTC 769_2 770 caataaacatgaatctctccc_(o)a_(o)ATaaacatgaatctCTCC 770_2

Capital letters represent beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides, lowercase lettersrepresent DNA nucleosides, all LNA C are 5-methyl cytosine, subscript orepresent a phosphodiester internucleoside linkage and unless otherwiseindicated other internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioateinternucleoside linkages.

TABLE 8 GalNAc conjugated antisense oligonucleotide compounds.antisense oligonucleotide conjugate CMP ID NOGN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)AGTttacattttcTGC 755_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)TATgtgaagaggaGAG 756_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)CACctttaaaaccCCA 757_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)TCCtttataatcaCAC 758_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)ACGgtattttcacAGG 759_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)GACactacaatgaGGA 760_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)TGGtttttaggacTGT 761_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)CGAcaaattctatCCT 762_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)TGAtatacaatgcTAC 763_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)TCGttgggtaaatTTA 764_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)TGCtttataaatgGTG 765_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)ACAAataatggttaCTCT 766_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)CAGAttgatggtagTT 767_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)CCtatttaacatcAGAC 768_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)CTAattgtagtagtaCTC 769_2GN2-C6_(o)c_(o)a_(o)ATaaacatgaatctCTCC 770_2

GN2 represents the trivalent GalNAc cluster shown in FIG. 3, C6represents an amino alkyl group with 6 carbons, capital lettersrepresent beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides, lowercase letters represent DNAnucleosides, all LNA C are 5-methyl cytosine, subscript o represent aphosphodiester nucleoside linkage and unless otherwise indicatedinternucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.Chemical drawings representing some of the molecules are shown in FIGS.4 to 8.

AAV/HBV Mouse Models

Pasteur Model:

HLA-A2.1-/HLA-DR1-transgenic H-2 class I-/class II-knockout (herereferred to as HLA-A2/DR1) mice were created and bred at the InstitutPasteur. These mice represent an in vivo experimental model for humanimmune function studies without any interference with mouse MHC response(Pajot et al 2004 Eur J Immunol. 34(11):3060-9.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, AAV serotype 2/8 carrying areplication competent HBV DNA genome was used in these studies. TheAAV-HBV vector (batch GVPN #6163) was diluted in sterile Phosphatebuffered Saline (PBS) to reach a titer of 5×10¹¹ vg/mL. Mice wereinjected intravenously (i.v.) with 100 μL of this diluted solution(dose/mouse: 5×10¹⁰ vg) in a tail vein. Complete viral particlescontaining HBV DNA were detected in the blood of HBV-carrier mice. HBcAgwas detected for up to one year in the liver together with HBVcirculating proteins HBeAg and HBsAg in the blood. In allAAV2/8-HBV-transduced mice, HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA persisted in serumfor at least one year (Dion et al 2013 J Virol 87:5554-5563).

Shanghai Model:

In this model, mice infected with a recombinant adeno-associated virus(AAV) carrying the HBV genome (AAV/HBV) maintains stable viremia andantigenimia for more than 30 weeks (Dan Yang, et al. 2014 Cellular &Molecular Immunology 11, 71-78).

Male C57BL/6 mice (4-6 weeks old), specific pathogen free, werepurchased from SLAC (Shanghai Laboratory Animal Center of ChineseAcademy of Sciences) and housed in an animal care facility inindividually ventilated cages. Guidelines were followed for the care anduse of animals as indicated by WuXi IACUC (Institutional Animal Care andUse Committee, WUXI IACUC protocol number R20131126-Mouse). Mice wereallowed to acclimate to the new environment for 3 days and are groupedaccording to the experimental design.

Recombinant AAV-HBV was diluted in PBS, 200 μL per injection. Thisrecombinant virus carries 1.3 copies of the HBV genome (genotype D,serotype ayw).

On day 0, all mice were injected through tail vein with 200 μL AAV-HBV.On days 6, 13 and 20 after AAV injection, all mice in weresubmandibularly bled (0.1 ml blood/mouse) for serum collection. On day22 post injection, mice with stable viremia were ready foroligonucleotide treatment. The oligonucleotides can be unconjugated orGalNAc conjugated.

DNA Vaccine

Plasmid DNA were endotoxin-free and manufactured by Plasmid-Factory(Germany). pCMV-S2.S ayw encodes the preS2 and S domains of the HBsAg(genotype D), and its expression is controlled by the cytomegalovirusimmediate early gene promoter (Michel et al 1995 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA92:5307-5311). pCMV-HBc encodes the HBV capsid carrying the hepatitiscore (HBc) Ag (Dion et al 2013 J Virol 87:5554-5563).

Treatment with DNA vaccine was conducted as described here. Five daysprior to vacciantion cardiotoxine (CaTx, Latoxan refL81-02, 50μl/muscle) was injected into the muscle of the mice. CaTx depolarizeesthe muscular fibers to induce cell degeneration, 5 days post injection,new muscular fibers will appear and will receive the DNA vaccine for abetter efficacy for transfection. The pCMV-52.S ayw and pCMVCore at 1mg/ml each were mixed in equal amount and each mouse received a total of100 μg by bilateral intramuscular injection into cardiotoxin-treatedtibialis anterior muscles as previously described in Michel et al 1995Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:5307-5311, under anesthesia (100 μL of 12.5mg/mL ketamine, 1.25 mg/mL xylazine).

Anti-PD-L1 Antibody

This is a mouse anti mouse PD-L1 IgG1 antibody clone 6E11 internallyproduced at Genetech. It is a surrogate antibody that cross blocksAtezolizumab and has similar in vitro blocking activityAtezolizumabproduced internally at Roche. The antibody wasadminstredadministered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at a dose of12.5 μg/g.

Oligonucleotide Synthesis

Oligonucleotide synthesis is generally known in the art. Below is aprotocol which may be applied. The oligonucleotides of the presentinvention may have been produced by slightly varying methods in terms ofapparatus, support and concentrations used.

Oligonucleotides are synthesized on uridine universal supports using thephosphoramidite approach on an Oligomaker 48 at 1 μmol scale. At the endof the synthesis, the oligonucleotides are cleaved from the solidsupport using aqueous ammonia for 5-16 hours at 60° C. Theoligonucleotides are purified by reverse phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) or bysolid phase extractions and characterized by UPLC, and the molecularmass is further confirmed by ESI-MS.

Elongation of the Oligonucleotide:

The coupling of β-cyanoethyl-phosphoramidites (DNA-A(Bz), DNA- G(ibu),DNA- C(Bz), DNA-T, LNA-5-methyl-C(Bz), LNA-A(Bz), LNA- G(dmf), or LNA-T)is performed by using a solution of 0.1 M of the 5′-O-DMT-protectedamidite in acetonitrile and DCI (4,5-dicyanoimidazole) in acetonitrile(0.25 M) as activator. For the final cycle a phosphoramidite withdesired modifications can be used, e.g. a C6 linker for attaching aconjugate group or a conjugate group as such. Thiolation forintroduction of phosphorthioate linkages is carried out by usingxanthane hydride (0.01 M in acetonitrile/pyridine 9:1). Phosphordiesterlinkages can be introduced using 0.02 M iodine in THF/Pyridine/water7:2:1. The rest of the reagents are the ones typically used foroligonucleotide synthesis.

For post solid phase synthesis conjugation a commercially available C6amino linker phosphoramidite can be used in the last cycle of the solidphase synthesis and after deprotection and cleavage from the solidsupport the aminolinked deprotected oligonucleotide is isolated. Theconjugates are introduced via activation of the functional group usingstandard synthesis methods.

Alternatively, the conjugate moiety can be added to the oligonucleotidewhile still on the solid support by using a GalNAc- or GalNAc-clusterphosphoramidite as described in PCT/EP2015/073331 or in EP appl. NO.15194811.4.

Purification by RP-HPLC:

The crude compounds are purified by preparative RP-HPLC on a PhenomenexJupiter C18 10μ 150×10 mm column. 0.1 M ammonium acetate pH 8 andacetonitrile is used as buffers at a flow rate of 5 mL/min. Thecollected fractions are lyophilized to give the purified compoundtypically as a white solid.

Abbreviations:

DCI: 4,5-Dicyanoimidazole

DCM: Dichloromethane

DMF: Dimethylformamide

DMT: 4,4′-Dimethoxytrityl

THF: Tetrahydrofurane

Bz: Benzoyl

Ibu: Isobutyryl

RP-HPLC: Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography

T_(m) Assay

Oligonucleotide and RNA target (phosphate linked, PO) duplexes arediluted to 3 mM in 500 ml RNase-free water and mixed with 500 ml 2×T_(m)-buffer (200 mM NaCl, 0.2 mM EDTA, 20 mM Naphosphate, pH 7.0). Thesolution is heated to 95° C. for 3 min and then allowed to anneal inroom temperature for 30 min. The duplex melting temperatures (T_(m)) ismeasured on a Lambda 40 UV/VIS Spectrophotometer equipped with a Peltiertemperature programmer PTP6 using PE Templab software (Perkin Elmer).The temperature is ramped up from 20° C. to 95° C. and then down to 25°C., recording absorption at 260 nm. First derivative and the localmaximums of both the melting and annealing are used to assess the duplexT_(m).

Tissue Specific In Vitro Linker Cleavage Assay

FAM-labeled oligonucleotides with the biocleavable linker to be tested(e.g. a DNA phosphodiester linker (PO linker)) are subjected to in vitrocleavage using homogenates of the relevant tissues (e.g. liver orkidney) and Serum.

The tissue and serum samples are collected from a suitable animal (e.g.mice, monkey, pig or rat) and homogenized in a homogenisation buffer(0.5% Igepal CA-630, 25 mM Tris pH 8.0, 100 mM NaCl, pH 8.0 (adjustedwith 1 N NaOH). The tissue homogenates and Serum are spiked witholigonucleotide to concentrations of 200 μg/g tissue. The samples areincubated for 24 hours at 37° C. and thereafter the samples areextracted with phenol-chloroform. The solutions are subjected to AIEHPLC analyses on a Dionex Ultimate 3000 using an Dionex DNApac p-100column and a gradient ranging from 10 mM-1 M sodium perchlorate at pH7.5. The content of cleaved and non-cleaved oligonucleotide aredetermined against a standard using both a fluorescence detector at 615nm and a uv detector at 260 nm.

S1 Nuclease Cleavage Assay

FAM-labelled oligonucleotides with 51 nuclease susceptible linkers (e.g.a DNA phosphodiester linker (PO linker)) are subjected to in vitrocleavage in 51 nuclease extract or Serum.

100 μM of the oligonucleotides are subjected to in vitro cleavage by 51nuclease in nuclease buffer (60 U pr. 100 μL) for 20 and 120 minutes.The enzymatic activity is stopped by adding EDTA to the buffer solution.The solutions are subjected to AIE HPLC analyses on a Dionex Ultimate3000 using an Dionex DNApac p-100 column and a gradient ranging from 10mM-1 M sodium perchlorate at pH 7.5. The content of cleaved andnon-cleaved oligonucleotide is determined against a standard using botha fluorescence detector at 615 nm and a uv detector at 260 nm.

Preparation of Liver Mononuclear Cells

Liver cells from AAV/HBV mice were prepared as described below andaccording to a method described by Tupin et al 2006 Methods Enzymol417:185-201 with minor modifications. After mouse euthanasia, the liverwas perfused with 10 ml of sterile PBS via hepatic portal vein usingsyringe with G25 needle. When organ is pale, the organ was harvested inHank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) (GIBCO® HBSS, 24020)+5%decomplemented fetal calf serum (FCS). The harvested liver was gentlypressed through 100 μm cell-strainer (BD Falcon, 352360) and cells weresuspended in 30 ml of HBSS+5% FCS. Cell suspension was centrifuged at 50g for 5 min. Supernatants were then centrifuged at 289 g for 10 min at4° C. After centrifugation, supernatants were discarded and pellets werere-suspended in 15 mL at room temperature in a 35% isotonic Percollsolution (GE Healthcare Percoll #17-0891-01 diluted into RPMI 1640(GIBCO, 31870)) and transferred to a 15 ml tube. Cells were furthercentrifuged at 1360 g for 25 min at room temperature. The supernatantwas discarded by aspiration and the pellet containing mononuclear cellswas washed twice with HBSS+5% FCS.

Cells were cultured in complete medium (α-minimal essential medium(Gibco, 22571) supplemented with 10% FCS (Hyclone, # SH30066, lotAPG21570), 100 U/mL penicillin+100 μg/mL streptomycin+0.3 mg/mLL-glutamine (Gibco, 10378), 1× non-essential amino acids (Gibco, 11140),10 mM Hepes (Gibco, 15630), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco, 11360) and 50μM β-mercaptoethanol (LKB, 1830)).

Surface Labeling of Cells

Cells were seeded in U-bottom 96-well plates and washed with PBS FACS(PBS containing 1 bovine serum albumin and 0.01% sodium azide). Cellswere incubated with 5 μL of PBS FACS containing a rat anti-mouseCD16/CD32 antibody and a viability marker LD fixable yellow,Thermofisher, L34959 for 10 min in the dark at 4° C. Then, cells werestained for 20 min in the dark at 4° C. with 25 μL of PBS FACScontaining monoclonal antibodies (Mab) against NK P46 BV421 (Rat Mabanti mouse NK P46, Biolegend, 137612) and F4/80 (rat Mab anti-mouseF4/80 FITC, BD Biolegend, 123108) and two supplemental surface markers:PD1 (rat Mab anti-mouse PD1 PE, BD Biosciences, 551892) and PDL1 (ratMab anti-mouse PDL1 BV711, Biolegend, 124319) were also added.

Intracelluar Cytokine Staining (ICS) Assay

ICS assays were performed on both splenocytes and liver mononuclearcells. Cells were seeded in Ubottom 96-well plates. Plates with cellswere incubated overnight at 37° C. either in complete medium alone asnegative control or with the peptides described in Table 9 at aconcentration of 2 μg/ml. Brefeldin A at 2 μg/mL (Sigma, B6542) wasadded after one hour of incubation.

After the overnight culture, cells were washed with PBS FACS andincubated with 5 μL of PBS FACS containing rat anti-mouse CD16/CD32antibody and a viability marker LD fixable yellow, Thermofisher, L34959for 10 min in the dark at 4° C. Then, cells were stained for 20 min inthe dark at 4° C. with 25 μL of PBS FACS containing Mab. The mix wascomposed of monoclonal antibodies against CD3 (hamster Mab anti-mouseCD3-PerCP, BD Biosciences, 553067), CD8 (rat Mab anti-mouse CD8-APC-H7,BD Biosciences, 560182), CD4 (rat Mab anti-mouse CD4-PE-Cy7, BDBiosciences, 552775), and NK cells (Rat Mab anti mouse NK P46 BV421,Biolegend, 137612). Cells were fixed after several washes andpermeabilized for 20 min in the dark at room temperature withCytofix/Cytoperm, washed with Perm/Wash solution (BD Biosciences,554714) at 4° C.

Intracellular cytokine staining with antibodies against IFNγ (rat Mabanti-mouse IFNγ-APC, clone XMG1.2, BD Biosciences, 554413) and tumornecrosis factor alpha (TNFα) (rat Mab anti-mouse TNFα-FITC, cloneMP6-XT22; 1/250 (BD Biosciences 554418) was performed for 30 min in thedark at 4° C. Before analysis by flow cytometry using the MACSQuantAnalyzer, cells were washed with Perm/Wash and re-suspended in PBS FACScontaining 1% Formaldehyde.

Live CD3+CD8+CD4− and cells CD3+CD8-CD4+ were gated and presented ondot-plot. Two regions were defined to gate for positive cells for eachcytokine. Numbers of events found in these gates were divided by totalnumber of events in parental population to yield percentages ofresponding T cells. For each mouse, the percentage obtained in mediumalone was considered as background and subtracted from the percentageobtained with peptide stimulations.

Threshold of positivity was defined according to experiment backgroundi.e. the mean percentage of stained cells obtained for each group inmedium alone condition plus two standard deviations. Only percentage ofcytokine represented at least 5 events were considered as positive.

TABLE 9HLA-A2/DR1 restricted epitopes contained in the HBV Core protein and the Envelopedomains of the HBsAg (S2 + S). Start End HLA Protein Position PositionSequence restriction References Core 18 27 FLPSDFFPSV A2Bertoletti et al (SEQ ID NO: 773) Gastroenterology 1997; 112: 193-199111 125 GRETVLEYLVSFGVW DR1 (Bertoletti et al (SEQ ID NO: 774)Gastroenterology 1997; 112: 193-199 Envelope 114 128 TTFHQTLQDPRVRGL DR1Pajot et al Microbes (S2 + S) (SEQ ID NO: 775) Infect 2006; 8: 2783-2790. 179 194 QAGFFLLTRILTIPQS A2 + DR1 Pajot et al Microbes(SEQ ID NO: 776) Infect 2006; 8: 2783- 2790. 183 191 FLLTRILTI A2Sette et al J (SEQ ID NO: 777) Immunol 1994; 153: 5586- 5592. 200 214TSLNFLGGTTVCLGQ A2 + DR1 Pajot et al Microbes (SEQ ID NO: 778)Infect 2006; 8: 2783- 2790. 204 212 FLGGTTVCL A2 Rehermann et al J(SEQ ID NO: 779) Exp Med 1995; 181: 1047-1058. 335 343 WLSLLVPFV A2Nayersina et alJ (SEQ ID NO: 780) Immunol 1993; 150: 4659-4671. 337 357SLLVPFVQWFVGLSPTVWLSV A2 + DR1 Loirat et al J (SEQ ID NO: 781)Immunol 2000; 165: 4748-4755 348 357 GLSPTVWLSV A2 Loirat et al J(SEQ ID NO: 782) Immunol 2000; 165: 4748-4755 370 379 SILSPFLPLL A2Mizukoshi et al J (SEQ ID NO: 783) Immunol 2004; 173: 5863-5871.

Example 1 Testing In Vitro Efficacy

A gene walk was performed across the human PD-L1 transcript primarilyusing 16 to 20mer gapmers. Efficacy testing was performed in an in vitroexperiment in the human leukemia monocytic cell line THP1 and in thehuman non-Hodgkin's K lymphoma cell line (KARPAS-299).

Cell Lines

THP1 and Karpas-299 cell line were originally purchased from EuropeanCollection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC) and maintained asrecommended by the supplier in a humidified incubator at 37° C. with 5%CO₂.

Oligonucleotide Efficacy

THP-1 cells (3.104 in RPMI-GLutamax, 10% FBS, 1% Pen-Strep (ThermoFisher Scientific) were added to the oligonucleotides (4-5 ul) into96-well round bottom plates and cultured for 6 days in a final volume of100 μl/well. Oligonucleotides were screened at one single concentration(20 μM) and in dose-range concentrations from 25 μM to 0.004 μM (1:3dilution in water). Total mRNA was extracted using the MagNA Pure 96Cellular RNA Large Volume Kit on the MagNA Pure 96 System (RocheDiagnostics) according to the manufacturer's instructions. For geneexpression analysis, RT-qPCR was performed using the TaqMan RNA-to-ct1-Step kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) on the QuantStudio machine(Applied Biosystems) with pre-designed Taqman primers targeting humanPDL1 and ACTB used as endogenous control (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Therelative PD-L1 mRNA expression level was calculated using 2(-Delta DeltaC(T)) method and the percentage of inhibition as the % compared to thecontrol sample (non-treated cells).

Karpas-299 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640, 2 mM Glutamine and 20% FBS(Sigma). The cells were plated at 10000 cell/well in 96 wells platesincubated for 24 hours before addition of oligonucleotides dissolved inPBS. Final concentration of oligonucleotides was in a single dose of 5μM, in a final culture volume was 100 μl/well or added in a doseresponse ranging from 50 μM, 15.8 μM, 5.0 μM, 1.58 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.158 μM,0.05 μM, to 0.0158 μM in 100 μL culture volume. The cells were harvested3 days after addition of oligonucleotide compounds and RNA was extractedusing the PureLink Pro 96 RNA Purification kit (Ambion), according tothe manufacturer's instructions. cDNA was synthesized using M-MLTReverse Transcriptase, random decamers RETROscript, RNase inhibitor(Ambion) and 100 mM dNTP set (Invitrogen, PCR Grade) according to themanufacturer's instruction. For gene expressions analysis, qPCR wasperformed using TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix (2×) (Ambion) in aduplex set up with TaqMan primer assays for the PD-L1 (AppliedBiosystems; Hs01125299_m1) and TBP (Applied Biosystems; 4325803). Therelative PD-L1 mRNA expression level is shown in table 10 as % ofcontrol sample (PBS-treated cells).

TABLE 10in vitro etttcacy of anti-PD-L1 compounds in THP1 and KARPAS-299 cell lines(Average from n =3 experiments). PD-L1 mRNA levels are normalized to TBP inKARPAS-299 cells or ACTB in THP1 cells and shown as % of control (PBS treatedcells). KARPAS-299 cells THP1 cells 5 μM CMP 20 μM CMP Start on CMP% mRNA % mRNA SEQ ID ID NO of control sd of control sd Compound (CMP)NO 1   4_1 50 1 32 11 TAattggctctacTGC 236   5_1 25 5 9 6TCGCataagaatgaCT 371   6_1 29 2 15 5 TGaacacacagtcgCA 382   7_1 27 7 3 1CTGaacacacagtCGC 383   8_1 23 4 11 3 TCTgaacacacagtCG 384   9_1 32 3 196 TTCtgaacacacagTC 385  10_1 57 5 39 16 ACaagtcatgttaCTA 463  11_1 75 537 12 ACacaagtcatgttAC 465  12_1 22 2 10 3 CTtacttagatgcTGC 495  13_1 334 23 11 ACttacttagatgCTG 496  14_1 33 7 21 6 GACttacttagatgCT 497  15_141 6 18 10 AGacttacttagaTGC 498  16_1 96 14 40 7 GCAggaagagactTAC 506 17_1 22 2 9 3 AATAaattccgttCAGG 541  18_1 34 6 21 9 GCAAataaattcCGTT545  18_2 51 4 27 11 GCAaataaattccGTT 545  19_1 38 5 23 7AGCAaataaattcCGT 546  20_1 73 8 56 15 CAGAgcaaataaatTCC 548  21_1 83 865 10 TGGAcagagcaaataAAT 551  22_1 86 6 80 8 ATGGacagagcaAATA 554  23_144 4 30 2 CAgaatggacagaGCA 558  24_1 63 10 40 11 TTCtcagaatggacAG 562 25_1 31 1 39 5 CTGAactttgacATAG 663  26_1 60 4 56 19 AAgacaaacccagacTGA675  27_1 36 4 34 10 TATAagacaaacccAGAC 678  28_1 40 4 28 13TTATaagacaaaccCAGA 679  29_1 30 2 18 6 TGTTataagacaaaCCC 682  30_1 77 367 10 TAGAacaatggtaCTTT 708  31_1 81 17 20 14 GTAGaacaatggtaCT 710  32_129 5 14 8 AGGtagaacaatgGTA 712  33_1 32 1 43 20 AAGAggtagaacaATGG 714 34_1 70 4 35 13 GCatccacagtaaaTT 749  35_1 83 2 66 21 GAaggttatttaaTTC773  36_1 18 2 15 5 CTAAtcgaatgcaGCA 805  37_1 64 7 35 10TACccaatctaatCGA 813  38_1 69 1 49 13 TAGttacccaatcTAA 817  39_1 49 5 269 CATttagttacccAAT 821  40_1 23 7 8 2 TCAtttagttaccCAA 822  41_1 24 6 123 TTcatttagttaCCCA 823  42_1 51 7 40 5 GAATtaatttcattTAGT 829  43_1 71 945 3 CAGTgaggaattaATTT 837  44_1 60 5 45 17 CCAAcagtgaggAATT 842  45_163 1 37 15 CCCaacagtgaggAAT 843  46_1 31 3 29 12 TAtacccaacagtgAGG 846 47_1 44 3 27 0 TTatacccaacagTGAG 847  48_1 38 3 26 6 TTTatacccaacagTGA848  49_1 20 4 7 1 CCTttatacccaaCAG 851  50_1 22 3 6 2 TAACctttatacCCAA854  51_1 28 1 29 16 AATaacctttataCCCA 855  52_1 80 11 48 10GTAaataacctttaTA 859  53_1 54 4 37 14 ACTGtaaataaccaTAT 860  54_1 81 453 15 ATAtatatgcaatgAG 903  55_1 86 12 70 15 AGatatatatgcaaTG 905  56_156 8 27 7 GAGatatatatgcAAT 906  57_1 28 7 13 5 CCagagatatataTGC 909 58_1 88 13 69 23 CAATattccagagATAT 915  59_1 29 3 14 6GCAAtattccagagATA 916  60_1 25 3 14 3 AGCaatattccagaGAT 917  61_1 29 417 2 CAGcaatattccAGAG 919  62_1 27 3 14 3 AATCagcaatattCCAG 921  63_1 236 12 6 ACAAtcagcaataTTCC 923  64_1 53 9 43 15 ACtaagtagttacactTCT 957 65_1 32 5 14 6 CTAAgtagttacactTC 958  66_1 35 4 31 6 GACtaagtagttacaCTT959  67_1 64 10 55 14 TGActaagtagtTACA 962  68_1 62 11 57 16CTTTgactaagtagTTA 964  69_1 42 9 59 13 CTCtttgactaagTAG 967  70_1 81 656 12 GCTCtttgactaagTA 968  71_1 27 3 39 9 CCttaaatactgtTGAC 1060  72_175 5 36 7 CTtaaatactgttgAC 1060  73_1 35 6 43 13 TCCttaaatactgTTG 1062 74_1 57 4 79 25 TCTCcttaaatactgTT 1063  75_1 53 6 28 6 TAtcatagttctCCTT1073  76_1 26 4 9 2 AGTatcatagttcTCC 1075  77_1 74 5 39 12GAgtatcatagttCTC 1076  78_1 49 5 35 6 AGagtatcatagTTCT 1077  78_2 74 636 8 AGAgtatcatagtTCT 1077  79_1 19 2 19 13 CAGagtatcatagTTC 1078  80_123 2 26 2 TTCAgagtatcataGT 1080  81_1 35 3 36 11 CTTcagagtatcATAG 1081 82_1 24 6 20 7 TTCTtcagagtatcaTA 1082  83_1 20 2 16 2 TTTcttcagagtaTCAT1083  84_1 33 4 37 10 GAGAaaggctaagTTT 1099  85_1 42 2 35 18GAcactcttgtaCATT 1213  86_1 50 4 54 8 TGagacactcttgtaCA 1215  87_1 50 828 8 TGagacactcttgTAC 1216  88_1 61 4 33 6 CTttattaaactCCAT 1266  89_171 8 43 12 ACCAaactttattaAA 1272  90_1 62 5 42 9 AAACctctactaagTG 1288 91_1 22 3 12 5 AGattaagacagtTGA 1310  92_1 46 3 ND ND AAgtaggagcaagaGGC1475  93_1 42 4 60 24 AAAGtaggagcaagAGG 1476  94_1 86 15 46 10GTtaagcagccaggAG 1806  95_1 66 6 82 27 AGggtaggatgggtAG 1842  96_1 83 1962 36 AAGggtaggatgggTA 1843  97_1 60 9 69 5 CAAgggtaggatggGT 1844  97_276 13 34 7 CAagggtaggatggGT 1844  98_1 65 8 76 28 CCaagggtaggatgGG 1845 99_1 61 2 75 17 TCcaagggtaggatGG 1846 100_1 83 4 82 13 CTTCcaagggtaggAT1848 101_1 45 3 52 14 ATCttccaagggtagGA 1849 102_1 29 2 17 7AGaagtgatggctCATT 1936 103_1 26 3 22 1 AAGaagtgatggcTCAT 1937 104_1 34 622 2 GAAgaagtgatggcTCA 1938 105_1 41 5 21 5 ATGAaatgtaaacTGGG 1955 106_140 8 29 6 CAATgaaatgtaaaCTGG 1956 107_1 24 3 16 4 GCAAtgaaatgtaaACTG1957 108_1 30 4 20 6 AGCAatgaaatgtaAACT 1958 109_1 44 4 34 14GAGCaatgaaatgtAAAC 1959 110_1 18 1 13 3 TGaattcccatatcCGA 1992 111_1 698 35 8 AGaattatgaccaTAT 2010 112_1 77 7 38 10 AGGtaagaattatGACC 2014113_1 97 10 56 13 TCAGgtaagaattaTGAC 2015 114_1 69 8 54 21CTTCaggtaagaatTATG 2017 115_1 91 7 115 42 TCTTcaggtaagaATTA 2019 116_188 6 104 36 CTTCttcaggtaaGAAT 2021 117_1 85 6 118 17 TCTTcttcaggtaaGAA2022 118_1 105 14 102 9 TCTtcttcaggtaAGA 2023 119_1 37 2 76 18TGGtctaagagaaGAAG 2046 120_1 46 6 81 11 GTTGgtctaagagAAG 2049 121_1 7411 64 4 AGTtggtctaagAGAA 2050 122_1 74 9 55 21 CAgttggtctaagAGAA 2050123_1 65 9 95 21 GCAgttggtctaagagAA 2050 124_1 63 7 ND NDCAGTtggtctaagaGA 2051 125_1 65 6 ND ND GCagttggtctaagaGA 2051 126_1 6714 104 34 GCagttggtctaaGAG 2052 127_1 22 6 10 3 CTcatatcagggCAGT 2063128_1 50 4 46 9 CACAcatgttctttaAC 2087 129_1 22 4 12 12TAAatacacacatgTTCT 2092 130_1 24 2 43 28 GTAAatacacacatgTTC 2093 131_133 3 20 12 TGTAaatacacacaTGTT 2094 132_1 73 17 57 21 GATCatgtaaatacACAC2099 133_1 47 5 28 14 AGATcatgtaaataCACA 2100 134_1 35 6 26 11CAAAgatcatgtaaatACAC 2101 135_1 30 2 14 3 ACAAagatcatgtaaaTACA 2102136_1 52 6 24 18 GAATacaaagatcaTGTA 2108 137_1 33 5 20 6AGAAtacaaagatcATGT 2109 138_1 37 1 22 15 CAGAatacaaagatCATG 2110 139_185 6 53 8 GCAGaatacaaagATCA 2112 140_1 79 4 40 6 AGGCagaatacaaagAT 2114141_1 56 2 53 20 AAGGcagaatacaaAGA 2115 142_1 28 5 20 5 ATTagtgagggacGAA2132 143_1 26 2 22 10 CAttagtgagggaCGA 2133 144_1 29 6 16 4GAgggtgatggatTAG 2218 145_1 45 6 22 5 TTaggagtaataAAGG 2241 146_1 65 744 9 TTAatgaatttggtTG 2263 147_1 84 8 43 10 CTttaatgaatttgGT 2265 148_132 0 15 3 CATGgattacaactAA 2322 149_1 33 2 20 4 TCatggattacaaCTA 2323150_1 29 1 11 3 GTCatggattacaaCT 2324 151_1 64 2 40 9 CAttaaatctagTCAT2335 152_1 97 8 63 22 GACAttaaatctagTCA 2336 153_1 92 7 ND NDAGGGacattaaatcTA 2340 154_1 35 4 25 15 CAAAgcattataaCCA 2372 155_1 34 324 6 ACttactaggcaGAAG 2415 156_1 102 6 113 18 CAGAgttaactgtaCA 2545157_1 102 10 103 15 CCAGagttaactgtAC 2546 158_1 88 7 95 18GCcagagttaactgTA 2547 159_1 78 10 ND ND TGggccagagttaaCT 2550 160_1 59 526 5 CAgcatctatcagaCT 2576 161_1 78 8 42 10 TGAaataacatgagTCAT 2711162_1 31 6 ND ND GTGaaataacatgAGTC 2713 163_1 18 2 11 3 TCTGtttatgtcacTG2781 164_1 56 5 29 9 GTCTgtttatgtcaCT 2782 165_1 37 8 12 5TGgtctgtttatGTCA 2784 166_1 39 1 19 3 TTGGtctgtttatgTC 2785 167_1 41 335 14 TCacccattgtttaAA 2842 168_1 18 3 14 4 TTcagcaaatatTCGT 2995 169_136 8 13 2 GTGtgttcagcaaATAT 2999 170_1 18 2 11 4 TCTattgttaggtATC 3053171_1 67 4 26 12 ATtgcccatcttacTG 3118 172_1 71 2 33 9 TATtgcccatcttaCT3119 173_1 47 4 20 5 AAatattgcccatCTT 3122 174_1 74 4 34 7ATAaccttatcataCA 3174 175_1 98 19 44 12 TAtaaccttatcaTAC 3175 176_1 10010 64 11 TTAtaaccttatcaTA 3176 177_1 72 38 28 5 TTTataaccttatCAT 3177178_1 47 6 34 6 ACtgctattgctaTCT 3375 179_1 41 3 23 6 AGgactgctattgCTA3378 180_1 32 6 27 7 GAGgactgctattgCT 3379 181_1 83 1 46 20ACgtagaataataaCA 3561 182_1 94 4 52 9 CCaagtgatataATGG 3613 183_1 49 216 3 TTagcagaccaaGTGA 3621 184_1 96 3 26 5 GTttagcagaccaaGT 3623 185_178 3 46 10 TGacagtgattataTT 3856 186_1 88 5 45 21 TGTCcaagatattgAC 3868187_1 46 6 23 6 GAAtatcctagatTGT 4066 188_1 79 3 45 14 CAaactgagaataTCC4074 189_1 63 5 27 8 GCAaactgagaataTC 4075 190_1 77 9 37 11TCCtattacaatcgTA 4214 191_1 74 10 36 9 TTCCtattacaatcGT 4215 192_1 91 851 28 ACtaatgggaggatTT 4256 193_1 95 14 67 24 TAgttcagagaataAG 4429194_1 86 5 47 16 TAacatatagttcAGA 4436 195_1 87 4 81 20 ATAacatatagttcAG4437 196_1 101 6 67 20 CAtaacatatagttCA 4438 197_1 91 6 60 13TCataacatatagtTC 4439 198_1 61 3 31 10 TAGCtcctaacaatCA 4507 199_1 79 1249 11 CTCCaatctttgtaTA 4602 200_1 74 2 58 13 TCTCcaatctttgtAT 4603 201_153 3 33 10 TCtatttcagccaaTC 4708 202_1 25 4 30 9 CGGaagtcagagtGAA 4782203_1 32 5 21 7 TTAAgcatgaggaaTA 4798 204_1 34 10 26 11 TGAttgagcacctCTT4831 205_1 81 12 62 12 GACtaattatttcgTT 4857 206_1 57 7 37 7TGActaattatttCGT 4858 207_1 26 5 21 6 GTGactaattattTCG 4859 208_1 48 333 13 CTGCttgaaatgtgAC 4870 209_1 32 1 34 13 CCtgcttgaaatgTGA 4871 210_160 5 50 19 ATcctgcttgaaATGT 4873 211_1 111 8 110 26 ATTataaatctatTCT5027 212_1 107 1 67 12 GCtaaatactttcATC 5151 213_1 26 3 19 6CAttgtaacataCCTA 5251 214_1 33 2 20 4 GCattgtaacatacCT 5252 215_1 89 853 16 TAatattgcaccaaAT 5295 216_1 25 2 29 9 GAtaatattgcacCAA 5297 217_127 1 27 6 AGataatattgcacCA 5298 218_1 79 6 45 11 GCcaagaagataATAT 5305219_1 159 16 68 14 CACAgccacataaaCT 5406 220_1 90 2 72 12TTgtaattgtggaaAC 5463 221_1 10 2 11 5 TGacttgtaattgTGG 5467 222_1 82 167 18 TCtaactgaaatagTC 5503 223_1 30 1 32 9 GTGgttctaactgaAA 5508 224_153 7 53 15 CAatatgggacttgGT 5522 225_1 44 1 33 10 ATGacaatatgggaCT 5526226_1 49 1 41 14 TATGacaatatgggAC 5527 227_1 77 1 54 15 ATATgacaatatggGA5528 228_1 100 3 98 29 CTtcacttaataaTTA 5552 229_1 90 12 80 19CTGCttcacttaatAA 5555 230_1 91 0 79 23 AAgactgcttcacTTA 5559 231_1 49 877 34 GAATgccctaattaTG 5589 232_1 17 7 88 33 TGGaatgccctaatTA 5591 233_140 5 35 10 GCAaatgccagtagGT 5642 234_1 81 6 72 25 CTAatggaaggattTG 5673235_1 97 17 87 25 AAtatagaacctaaTG 5683 236_1 98 4 83 21GAAagaatagaatGTT 5769 237_1 93 2 102 26 ATGggtaatagattAT 5893 238_1 11024 44 14 GAaagagcacagggTG 6103 239_1 66 5 36 10 CTACatagagggaaTG 6202240_1 70 4 34 8 GCttcctacataGAGG 6207 241_1 64 NA 33 6 TGCTtcctacatagAG6208 242_1 30 NA 19 7 TGggcttgaaataTGT 6417 243_1 88 6 69 15CATtatatttaagaAC 6457 244_1 8 2 5 2 TCggttatgttaTCAT 6470 245_1 18 9 124 CActttatctggTCGG 6482 246_1 37 2 19 5 AAAttggcacagcGTT 6505 247_1 4612 29 8 ACCGtgacagtaaATG 6577 248_1 31 2 25 2 TGggaaccgtgacagTA 6581249_1 17 2 23 9 CCacatataggtcCTT 6597 250_1 15 6 23 7 CAtattgctaccaTAC6617 251_1 4 2 9 2 TCAtattgctaccATA 6618 252_1 65 12 85 14CAATtgtcatatTGCT 6624 253_1 20 2 51 7 CATtcaattgtcataTTG 6626 254_1 48 891 41 TTTCtactgggaaTTTG 6644 255_1 11 5 23 8 CAAttagtgcagcCAG 6672 256_143 7 62 13 GAATaatgttcCttaTCC 6704 257_1 28 2 36 19 CACAaattgaataatgtTCT6709 258_1 64 4 78 22 CATGcacaaattgaaTAAT 6714 259_1 53 8 104 73ATCctgcaatttcaCAT 6832 260_1 54 5 59 14 CCaccatagctgatCA 6868 261_1 42 852 22 ACcaccatagctgaTCA 6868 262_1 68 5 118 66 CAccaccatagctgaTC 6869263_1 40 2 73 20 TAgtcggcaccaccAT 6877 264_1 64 6 72 35CttgtagtaggcaccAC 6880 265_1 56 4 82 35 CttgtagtaggcacCA 6881 266_1 41 546 21 CGcttgtagtcggcAC 6883 267_1 51 4 33 14 TCAataaagatcagGC 6942 268_161 2 49 10 TGgacttacaagaaTG 6986 269_1 45 7 40 9 ATGgacttacaagaAT 6987270_1 51 12 36 12 GCTCaagaaattggAT 7073 271_1 17 0 14 5 TACTgtagaacatgGC7133 272_1 15 3 11 3 GCAAttcatttgaTCT 7239 273_1 64 11 ND NDTGaagggaggagggacAC 7259 274_1 52 6 50 28 AGtggtgaagggaggAG 7265 275_1 797 ND ND TAgtggtgaagggaggAG 7265 276_1 81 6 ND ND AtagtggtgaagggaggAG7265 277_1 70 9 ND ND TAgtggtgaagggagGA 7266 278_1 84 9 ND NDATagtggtgaagggagGA 7266 279_1 40 6 64 53 TAGtggtgaagggaGG 7267 280_1 4210 ND ND ATAgtggtgaagggaGG 7267 281_1 63 7 ND ND GAtagtggtgaagggaGG 7267282_1 27 7 38 11 ATAGtggtgaagggAG 7268 283_1 60 22 ND NDGAtagtggtgaaggGAG 7268 284_1 23 3 97 54 GAgatagtggtgAAGG 7271 285_1 51 672 19 CATGggagatagtgGT 7276 286_1 7 1 21 9 ACAAataatggttaCTCT 7302 287_166 8 48 20 ACACacaaataatgGTTA 7306 288_1 67 6 58 20 GAGggacacacaaaTAAT7311 289_1 46 2 50 21 ATATagagaggcTCAA 7390 290_1 22 6 ND NDTTgatatagagaGGCT 7393 291_1 11 2 17 3 GCATttgatatagAGA 7397 292_1 70 1844 8 TTtgcatttgataTAG 7400 293_1 30 1 30 9 CTGgaagaataggtTC 7512 294_153 5 42 10 ACTGgaagaataggTT 7513 295_1 56 2 41 15 TACTggaagaatagGT 7514296_1 80 8 53 13 TGGCttatcctgtaCT 7526 297_1 73 6 52 14ATggccttatcctGTAC 7527 298_1 75 7 89 25 TATGgcttatcctgTA 7528 299_1 52 550 11 GTAtggcttatccTGT 7529 300_1 27 3 31 6 ATgaatatatgccCAGT 7547 301_141 8 33 9 GAtgaatatatgCCCA 7549 302_1 8 2 ND ND CAAgatgaatataTGCC 7551303_1 32 5 37 14 GACAacatcagtaTAGA 7572 304_1 28 5 30 23CAAGacaacatcAGTA 7576 305_1 47 5 41 9 CACtcctagttccTTT 7601 306_1 39 633 7 AACactcctagttCCT 7603 307_1 68 3 42 14 TAacactcctagtTCC 7604 308_1115 5 69 22 CTaacactcctagtTC 7605 309_1 97 16 57 14 TGataacataactgTG7637 310_1 36 1 23 10 CTgataacataaCTGT 7638 311_1 38 5 24 5TTTGaactcaagtgAC 7654 312_1 42 3 39 5 TCCTttacttagcTAG 7684 313_1 15 214 3 GAgtttggattagCTG 7764 314_1 49 28 ND ND TGggatatgacagGGA 7838 315_134 6 ND ND TGTGggatatgacaGG 7840 316_1 47 3 37 8 ATATggaagggataTC 7875317_1 11 3 ND ND ACAggatatggaaGGG 7880 318_1 48 4 ND NDATTTcaacaggatATGG 7885 319_1 18 2 16 4 GAgtaatttcaacAGG 7891 320_1 74 644 5 AGGGagtaatttcAACA 7893 321_1 38 5 56 28 ATTAgggagtaatTTCA 7896322_1 66 9 32 11 CTtactattaggGAGT 7903 323_1 13 1 15 5 CAgcttactattaGGG7906 324_1 26 4 20 9 TCAgcttactattAGG 7907 325_1 43 4 17 2ATTtcagcttactaTTAG 7908 326_1 54 5 57 16 TTcagcttactaTTAG 7908 327_1 283 8 2 CAGAtttcagcttaCT 7913 328_1 43 4 37 16 GACtacaactagagGG 7930 329_145 12 36 10 AGACtacaactagaGG 7931 330_1 99 8 94 32 AAgactacaactagAG 7932331_1 59 4 52 19 ATGAtttaattctagtCAAA 7982 332_1 100 2 84 23TTTaattctagtcAAA 7982 333_1 91 9 60 19 GATTtaattctaGTCA 7984 771_1 74 650 5 TGAtttaattctaGTCA 7984 334_1 73 5 54 12 ATGAtttaattctagTCA 7984335_1 15 1 26 3 GATGatttaattctagtCA 7984 336_1 71 22 49 16GAtttaattctaGTCA 7984 337_1 43 5 30 11 GATGatttaattctaGTC 7985 338_1 985 90 27 TGatttaattctagTC 7985 339_1 87 21 86 2 GAGAtgatttaatTCTA 7988340_1 92 5 85 27 GAGatgatttaatTCT 7989 341_1 7 1 7 1 CAGAttgatggtagTT8030 342_1 7 2 24 11 CTcagattgatgGTAG 8032 343_1 3 1 14 9GTTagccctcagaTTG 8039 344_1 14 5 20 7 TGtattgttagcCCTC 8045 345_1 10 211 5 ACttgtattgttAGCC 8048 346_1 52 4 52 17 AGCcagtatcagggAC 8191 347_133 3 18 8 TTgacaatagtgGCAT 8213 348_1 7 2 13 5 ACAagtggtatctTCT 8228349_1 63 8 44 15 AATCtactttacaaGT 8238 350_1 36 2 ND NDCAcagtagatgcctGATA 8351 351_1 24 2 30 9 GAacacagtagatGCC 8356 352_1 23 4103 14 CTTGgaacacagtagAT 8359 353_1 20 2 45 2 ATAtcttggaacaCAG 8364354_1 25 3 24 6 TCTttaatatcttgGAAC 8368 355_1 39 2 41 10TGatttctttaatatCTTG 8372 356_1 54 5 88 43 TGatgatttctttaaTATC 8375 357_131 4 45 27 AGGctaagtcatgaTG 8389 358_1 18 3 43 20 TTGAtgaggctaagTC 8395359_1 6 2 11 2 CCAggattatactaT 8439 360_1 43 5 40 14 GCcaggattataCTCT8440 361_1 56 8 73 13 CTGccaggattataCT 8442 362_1 23 1 33 7CAGAaacttatactttaTG 8473 363_1 49 8 45 14 AAGCagaaacttaTACT 8478 364_139 6 37 4 GAAgcagaaacttaTACT 8478 365_1 26 4 45 13 TGGaagcagaaacttataCT8478 366_1 21 4 44 5 TGGaagcagaaacttaTAC 8479 367_1 97 4 70 22AAgcagaaacttaTAC 8479 368_1 34 3 32 11 TGGaagcagaaactTATA 8480 369_1 717 46 19 AAGGgatattatggAG 8587 370_1 51 9 79 38 TGccggaagatttcCT 8641371_1 45 6 52 25 ATGGattgggagtaGA 8772 372_1 27 7 30 8 AGatggattgggagTA8774 373_1 13 3 28 6 AAGatggattgggaGT 8775 374_1 42 10 44 11ACaagatggattGGGA 8777 374_2 41 3 45 14 ACaagatggattggGA 8777 375_1 83 988 32 AGAaggttcagaCTTT 8835 376_1 40 5 33 3 GCAgaaggttcagaCT 8837 376_228 5 20 4 GCagaaggttcagACT 8837 377_1 70 2 43 8 TGCAgaaggttcagAC 8838378_1 23 3 55 17 AGtgcagaaggttCAG 8840 378_2 51 6 41 8 AGTGcagaaggttcAG8840 379_1 34 6 35 7 AAGTgcagaaggttCA 8841 380_1 44 11 24 6TAagtgcagaagGTTC 8842 381_1 37 5 45 9 TCtaagtgcagaAGGT 8844 382_1 75 5147 26 CTCaggagttctactTC 8948 383_1 90 10 141 55 CTCaggagttctaCTT 8949384_1 73 8 234 116 AtggaggtgactcaggAG 8957 385_1 33 4 42 7ATggaggtgactcagGA 8958 386_1 24 3 29 14 ATggaggtgactcAGG 8959 387_1 37 265 15 TAtggaggtgactcAGG 8959 388_1 50 10 81 19 ATatggaggtgactcaGG 8959389_1 42 5 61 10 TATGgaggtgactcAG 8960 390_1 36 2 76 50ATatggaggtgacTCAG 8960 391_1 52 6 64 6 CAtatggaggtgactcAG 8960 392_1 635 57 6 ATAtggaggtgacTCA 8961 393_1 53 7 64 12 CAtatggaggtgacTCA 8961394_1 51 5 56 24 CAtatggaggtgACTC 8962 395_1 23 3 41 34GCatatggaggtgacTC 8962 396_1 34 3 54 10 TGcatatggaggtgacTC 8962 397_1 545 71 24 TtgcatatggaggtgacTC 8962 398_1 61 11 59 13 TttgcatatggaggtgacTC8962 399_1 25 2 30 6 GCatatggaggtgaCT 8963 400_1 34 4 25 9TGcatatggaggtgaCT 8963 401_1 25 4 31 20 TTGcatatggaggtgaCT 8963 402_1 516 37 11 TttgcatatggaggtgaCT 8963 403_1 26 1 33 5 TGCatatggaggtgAC 8964404_1 25 2 69 19 TTGcatatggaggtGAC 8964 405_1 26 4 24 4TTTGcatatggaggtgAC 8964 406_1 19 3 20 7 TTTGcatatggaggtGA 8965 407_1 165 46 16 TTtgcatatggaGGTG 8966 408_1 9 2 9 6 AAgtgaagttcaaCAGC 8997 409_126 8 109 52 TGggaagtgaagTTCA 9002 410_1 31 5 24 5 ATgggaagtgaagTTC 9003411_1 49 9 19 10 GATGggaagtgaaGTT 9004 412_1 28 10 17 9CTGtgatgggaagtGAA 9007 413_1 54 4 34 8 ATTgagtgaatccAAA 9119 414_1 11 114 2 AAttgagtgaatCCAA 9120 415_1 58 6 14 2 GATAattgagtgaaTCC 9122 416_15 1 16 3 GTGataattgagtGAA 9125 417_1 73 5 61 14 AAGaaaggtgcaaTAA 9155418_1 86 6 64 13 CAagaaaggtgcAATA 9156 419_1 75 19 64 14ACAAgaaaggtgcaAT 9157 420_1 75 8 50 13 ATttaaactcacaaAC 9171 421_1 21 823 6 CTgttaggttcaGCGA 9235 422_1 54 10 30 5 TCTGaatgaacatTTCG 9260 423_111 4 15 5 CTcattgaaggtTCTG 9281 424_1 87 3 52 8 CTAatctcattgaaGG 9286425_1 95 1 85 13 CCtaatctcattgaAG 9287 426_1 31 7 22 7 ACTttgatctttcAGC9305 427_1 64 7 49 16 ACtatgcaacacttTG 9315 428_1 18 6 21 3CAAatagctttatCGG 9335 429_1 19 6 17 4 CCaaatagctttATCG 9336 430_1 35 427 8 TCCAaatagctttaTC 9337 431_1 75 8 43 7 GATCcaaatagcttTA 9339 432_167 11 32 8 ATgatccaaataGCTT 9341 433_1 53 5 43 6 TATGatccaaatagCT 9342434_1 97 9 66 29 TAAAcagggctggGAAT 9408 435_1 58 12 44 17ACttaaacagggCTGG 9412 436_1 58 10 30 12 ACacttaaacagGGCT 9414 437_1 8738 41 3 GAACacttaaacAGGG 9416 438_1 70 4 59 33 AGAGaacacttaaACAG 9418439_1 83 17 28 9 CTACagagaacaCTTA 9423 440_1 49 12 27 4ATGctacagagaaCACT 9425 441_1 53 10 24 13 ATAAatgctacagagAACA 9427 442_123 6 20 10 AGataaatgctacaGAGA 9430 443_1 48 6 27 7 TAGAgataaatgcTACA9434 444_1 51 3 32 8 TAGAtagagataaatGCT 9437 445_1 38 5 ND NDCAATatactagataGAGA 9445 446_1 52 3 31 1 TACAcaatatactagATAG 9448 447_165 6 48 11 CTAcacaatatacTAG 9452 448_1 67 9 29 2 GCTAcacaatatACTA 9453449_1 103 17 65 15 ATATgctacacaatATAC 9455 450_1 71 13 129 22TGATatgctacaCAAT 9459 451_1 19 4 9 1 ATGAtatgatatgCTAC 9464 452_1 75 1045 21 GAGGagagagacaaTAAA 9495 453_1 68 6 43 10 CTAggaggagagagACA 9500454_1 72 7 79 25 TATTctaggaggagAGA 9504 455_1 31 3 29 9TTATattctaggagGAG 9507 456_1 38 5 62 17 GTTtatattctaGGAG 9510 457_1 15 615 8 TGgagtttatattcTAGG 9512 458_1 34 3 21 3 CGtaccaccactcTGC 9590 459_141 5 55 22 TGAGgaaatcattcATTC 9641 460_1 81 8 47 22 TTTGaggaaatcatTCAT9643 461_1 76 8 39 5 AGGCtaatcctattTG 9657 462_1 93 12 216 12TTTAggctaatcCTAT 9660 463_1 15 6 30 9 TGCtccagtgtaccCT 9755 464_1 27 325 6 TAgtagtactcgATAG 9813 465_1 9 2 7 3 CTAattgtagtagtaCTC 9818 466_152 3 32 6 TGctaattgtagTAGT 9822 467_1 68 11 36 16 AGTGctaattgtagTA 9824468_1 35 6 32 3 GCAAgtgctaattgTA 9827 469_1 91 9 ND NDGAGGaaatgaactaattTA 9881 470_1 92 5 ND ND CAGGaggaaatgaacTA 9886 471_167 5 42 6 CCctagagtcattTCC 9902 472_1 35 5 20 8 ATCttacatgatgaAGC 9925473_1 13 1 20 5 GACacactcagatttcAG 9967 474_1 24 4 20 2AGacacactcagatttcAG 9967 475_1 25 4 24 7 AAGacacactcagatttcAG 9967 476_126 6 19 4 AGacacactcagattTCA 9968 477_1 28 4 32 13 AAGacacactcagattTCA9968 478_1 31 8 37 6 AAagacacactcagatTTCA 9968 479_1 63 7 51 26GAAagacacactcagatTTC 9969 480_1 37 10 ND ND AAGAcacactcagatTTC 9969481_1 41 4 ND ND AAAGacacactcagaTTTC 9969 482_1 19 5 48 14TGAAagacacactcagatTT 9970 483_1 60 8 68 10 TGaaagacacactcaGATT 9971484_1 42 8 63 22 TGAaagacacactcaGAT 9972 485_1 48 9 41 20ATTGaaagacacacTCA 9975 486_1 27 6 27 12 TCattgaaagacaCACT 9977 487_1 8813 121 33 TTCcatcattgaAAGA 9983 488_1 80 12 ND ND ATAAtaccacttaTCAT10010 489_1 13 4 27 15 TTacttaatttcttTGGA 10055 490_1 32 5 60 24TTAgaactagctttaTCA 10101 491_1 58 10 55 17 GAGgtacaaatatAGG 10171 492_14 1 12 3 CTTatgatacaacTTA 10384 493_1 37 6 35 5 TCttatgatacaaCTT 10385494_1 30 0 27 6 TTCttatgatacaaCT 10386 495_1 27 8 18 3 CAgtttcttatgaTAC10390 496_1 25 10 25 6 GCAgtttcttatgaTA 10391 497_1 77 6 72 29TACAaatgtctattagGTT 10457 498_1 66 5 69 17 TGTAcaaatgtctatTAG 10460499_1 27 10 20 4 AGCatcacaattagTA 10535 500_1 31 10 25 5CTAatgatagtgaaGC 10548 501_1 21 7 30 8 AGCtaatgatagtgAA 10550 502_1 35 539 8 ATGCcttgacatatTA 10565 503_1 64 11 79 26 CTCAagattattgACAC 10623504_2 25 4 83 32 ACctcaagattaTTGA 10626 504_1 94 7 22 6 ACCtcaagattaTTGA10626 505_1 31 6 34 10 AACCtcaagattatTG 10627 506_1 55 6 62 17CACAaacctcaagattaTT 10628 507_1 66 12 40 4 GTActtaattagACCT 10667 508_178 5 80 10 AGTActtaattagACC 10668 509_1 36 5 42 15 GTATgaggtggtaaAC10688 510_1 40 4 48 22 AGgaaacagcagaAGTG 10723 511_1 27 7 13 6GCacaacccagaggAA 10735 512_1 54 5 ND ND CAAgcacaacccagAG 10738 513_1 357 ND ND TTCaagcacaaccCAG 10740 514_1 49 6 52 15 AAttcaagcacaACCC 10742515_1 72 4 106 49 TAATaattcaagcacaaCC 10743 516_1 43 4 57 21ACTAataattcaaGCAC 10747 517_1 37 3 60 12 ATAAtactaataattcAAGC 10749518_1 9 3 6 1 TAgatttgtgagGTAA 11055 519_1 59 10 31 5 AGCCttaattctccAT11091 520_1 41 4 34 9 AATGatctagagcCTTA 11100 521_1 34 6 34 7CTAatgatctagaGCC 11103 522_1 52 6 52 17 ACTaatgatctaGAGC 11104 523_1 604 54 10 CATtaacatgttctTATT 11165 524_1 57 4 55 8 ACAAgtacattaacatGTTC11170 525_1 53 6 44 5 TTACaagtacattaaCATG 11173 526_1 54 11 49 17GCTTtattcatgtTTAT 11195 527_1 34 7 17 5 GCTttattcatgttTA 11196 528_1 112 21 4 AGAgctttattcatgtTT 11197 529_1 22 4 33 7 ATAAgagctttattCATG 11200530_1 30 5 32 15 CATAagagctttaTTCA 11202 531_1 77 8 24 4AGCAtaagagctTTAT 11205 532_1 8 3 15 6 TAGattgtttagtGCA 11228 533_1 4 210 2 GTagattgtttaGTGC 11229 534_1 41 6 33 11 GACAattctagtaGATT 11238535_1 50 1 37 7 CTGacaattctaGTAG 11241 536_1 49 7 36 6 GCTGacaattctagTA11242 537_1 59 2 42 11 AGgattaagatacgTA 11262 538_1 28 11 28 4CAggattaagataCGT 11263 539_1 96 5 20 6 TCAggattaagataCG 11264 540_1 7011 59 11 TTcaggattaagATAC 11265 541_1 53 5 28 4 AGGAagaaagtttgATTC 11308542_1 92 13 59 12 TCAAggaagaaagtTTGA 11311 543_1 44 3 67 7CTCAaggaagaaagTTTG 11312 544_1 43 4 32 4 TGCtcaaggaagaAAGT 11315 545_141 7 44 20 AATTatgctcaaggaAGA 11319 546_1 11 4 26 8 TAGGataccacattatGA11389 547_1 25 4 26 12 CAtaatttattccattcCTC 11449 548_1 64 6 ND NDTGCAtaatttattcCAT 11454 549_1 48 17 49 7 ACTGcataatttatTCC 11456 550_191 10 92 15 CTAAactgcataattTATT 11458 551_1 85 8 38 9 ATaactaaactgCATA11465 552_1 86 4 ND ND TTAttaataactaaaCTGC 11468 553_1 91 13 92 21TAGTacattattaataaCT 11475 554_1 50 4 37 7 CATAactaaggacgTT 11493 555_141 5 30 7 TCataactaaggaCGT 11494 556_1 80 7 55 13 CGTCataactaaggAC 11496557_1 86 3 59 11 TCgtcataactaagGA 11497 558_1 51 9 33 12ATcgtcataactAAGG 11498 559_1 91 6 65 26 GTtagtatcttacATT 11525 560_1 303 41 8 CTCtattgttagtATC 11532 561_1 59 8 18 6 AGTatagagttacTGT 11567562_1 65 11 41 11 TTCCtggtgatactTT 11644 563_1 57 13 45 13GTTCctggtgatacTT 11645 564_1 57 15 30 7 TGttcctggtgataCT 11646 565_1 174 35 4 ATaaacatgaatctCTCC 11801 566_1 16 3 30 4 CTTtataaacatgaaTCTC11804 567_1 60 5 45 11 CTGtctttataaaCATG 11810 568_1 20 2 19 5TTgttataaatctgTCTT 11820 569_1 68 9 44 4 TTAaatttattcttgGATA 11849 570_176 8 48 12 CTtaaatttattctTGGA 11851 571_1 62 5 66 5 CTTCttaaatttattctTG11853 572_1 28 4 44 10 TATGtttctcagtAAAG 11877 573_1 29 6 36 11GAAttatctttaaACCA 11947 574_1 74 6 34 7 CCCttaaatttctaCA 11980 575_1 378 30 9 ACACtgctcttgtaCC 11995 576_1 45 14 27 6 TGAcaacactgctCTT 12000577_1 2 1 12 5 TACAtttattgggcTC 12081 578_1 65 14 39 9 GTacatttattgGGCT12082 579_1 34 4 53 12 TTGgtacatttatTGG 12085 580_1 41 7 35 6CATGttggtacattTAT 12088 581_1 11 4 12 5 AATCatgttggtacAT 12092 582_1 9616 48 9 AAatcatgttggtaCA 12093 583_1 71 15 42 13 GACaagtttggattAA 12132584_1 46 34 39 6 AAtgttcagatgCCTC 12197 585_1 37 26 28 12GCttaatgttcagaTG 12201 586_1 75 8 43 12 CGTAcatagcttgaTG 12267 587_1 4110 28 5 GTGaggaattaggaTA 12753 588_1 41 5 27 9 GTAacaatatggttTG 12780589_1 67 10 37 7 GAaatattgtagaCTA 13151 590_1 97 10 80 12TTGaaatattgtagAC 13153 591_1 64 10 47 9 AAgtctagtaatTTGC 13217 592_1 847 60 9 GCTCagtagattatAA 13259 593_1 42 8 32 9 CATacactgttgcTAA 13296594_1 101 6 79 17 ATGgtctcaaatcATT 13314 595_1 53 14 46 7CAATggtctcaaatCA 13316 596_1 47 6 36 6 TTCCtattgattgaCT 13568 597_1 9712 41 6 TTTCtgttcacaacAC 13600 598_1 85 1 49 11 AGgaacccactaaTCT 13702599_1 56 3 34 7 TAAatggcaggaacCC 13710 600_1 15 4 24 8 GTAAatggcaggaaCC13711 601_1 40 6 26 8 TTgtaaatggcagGAA 13713 602_1 59 12 26 6TTatgagttaggCATG 13835 603_1 62 2 42 10 CCAggtgaaactttAA 13935 604_1 779 55 18 CCCttagtcagctCCT 13997 605_1 82 13 42 11 ACccttagtcagCTCC 13998606_1 74 1 39 10 CAcccttagtcagCTC 13999 607_1 76 9 30 8 TCTcttactaggcTCC14091 608_1 82 5 50 13 CCtatctgtcatcATG 14178 609_1 82 1 48 12TCCtatctgtcatcAT 14179 610_1 41 6 50 13 GAGaagtgtgagaaGC 14808 611_1 705 84 19 CATCcttgaagtttAG 14908 612_1 64 14 61 16 TAAtaagatggctCCC 15046613_1 85 2 51 14 CAAggcataataagAT 15053 614_1 47 1 35 10CCaaggcataatAAGA 15054 615_1 74 8 53 11 TGatccaattctcaCC 15151 616_1 634 41 11 ATGatccaattctCAC 15152 617_1 46 7 42 9 CGCttcatcttcacCC 15260618_1 104 4 15 4 TAtgacactgcaTCTT 15317 619_1 8 3 8 5 GTAtgacactgcaTCT15318 620_1 21 3 27 10 TGtatgacactgCATC 15319 621_1 37 7 38 11TTCTcttctgtaagTC 15363 622_1 49 7 36 11 TTctacagaggaACTA 15467 623_1 471 32 10 ACTacagttctacAGA 15474 624_1 78 8 69 6 TTCCcacaggtaaaTG 15561625_1 70 7 ND ND ATTAtttgaatatactCATT 15594 626_1 73 7 49 25TGGGaggaaattatTTG 15606 627_1 80 5 64 11 TGACtcatcttaaaTG 15621 628_1 716 66 19 CTGactcatcttaaAT 15622 629_1 31 6 41 6 TTTactctgactcATC 15628630_1 88 2 68 18 TATtggaggaattaTT 15642 631_1 53 2 27 6 GTAttggaggaattAT15643 632_1 23 3 39 7 TGgtatacttctctaagTAT 15655 633_1 42 9 33 3GATCtcttggtataCT 15666 634_1 38 1 30 16 CAgacaactctataCC 15689 635_1 102 19 3 AACAtcagacaacTCTA 15693 636_1 13 1 11 3 TAACatcagacaacTC 15695637_1 14 2 27 2 TTTAacatcagacaACTC 15695 638_1 101 14 81 16ATttaacatcagacAA 15698 639_1 14 1 17 1 CCtatttaacatcAGAC 15700 640_1 652 ND ND TCCctatttaacaTCA 15703 641_1 41 6 42 12 TCAAcgactattgGAAT 15737642_1 37 2 29 5 CTTAtattctggcTAT 15850 643_1 31 7 35 4 ATCCttatattctgGC15853 644_1 13 3 8 1 GAtccttatattCTGG 15854 645_1 25 5 20 4TGAtccttatattCTG 15855 646_1 33 6 54 10 ATTGaaacttgaTCCT 15864 647_1 433 27 6 ACtgtcattgaaACTT 15870 648_1 54 7 32 12 TCTtactgtcattgAA 15874649_1 12 1 25 2 AGgatcttactgtCATT 15877 650_1 13 4 11 3 GCAaatcaactccATC15896 651_1 10 5 16 3 GTGcaaatcaactCCA 15898 652_1 7 0 36 18CAATtatttctttgTGC 15910 653_1 21 3 31 7 TGGcaacaattattTCTT 15915 654_175 9 73 24 GCTggcaacaatTATT 15919 655_1 21 6 39 6 ATCCatttctactgCC 15973656_1 25 3 38 8 TAATatctattgattTCTA 15988 657_1 14 2 11 5TCaatagtgtagggCA 16093 658_1 11 4 10 3 TTCaatagtgtaggGC 16094 659_1 18 132 12 AGGTtaattaattcaATAG 16102 660_1 33 7 25 10 CATttgtaatccCTAG 16163660_2 64 14 31 8 CATttgtaatcccTAG 16163 661_1 48 6 34 6 ACAtttgtaatccCTA16164 662_2 29 6 23 5 AAcatttgtaatCCCT 16165 662_1 30 6 18 6AACatttgtaatCCCT 16165 663_1 49 1 26 6 TAaatttcaagttCTG 16184 664_1 17 330 10 GTTtaaatttcaagTTCT 16185 665_1 22 7 40 9 CCAAgtttaaatttCAAG 16189666_1 89 11 ND ND ACCCaagtttaaaTTTC 16192 667_1 60 16 87 8CAtacagtgacccaagTTT 16199 668_1 65 9 50 12 ACatcccatacagTGA 16208 669_183 8 103 4 AGcacagctctaCATC 16219 670_1 80 9 150 36 ATAtagcacagcTCTA16223 671_1 57 14 ND ND TCCatatagcacagCT 16226 672_1 53 10 106 8ATTtccatatagCACA 16229 673_1 78 3 96 14 TTTAtttccatatAGCA 16231 674_1 779 31 7 TTTatttccatatAGC 16232 675_1 32 6 ND ND AAGGagaggagatTATG 16409676_1 32 5 24 6 AGTtcttgtgttagCT 16456 677_1 19 4 17 4 GAgttcttgtgttaGC16457 678_1 14 3 25 3 ATTaattatccatCCAC 16590 679_1 11 2 20 6ATCaattaattatcCATC 16593 680_1 31 5 40 11 AGAatcaattaattaTCC 16596 681_18 3 30 10 TGagataccgtgcaTG 16656 682_1 11 3 ND ND AAtgagataccgTGCA 16658683_1 15 3 33 10 CTGtggttaggctaAT 16834 684_1 45 7 38 7AagagtaagggtctgtggTT 16842 685_1 24 5 ND ND GATGggttaagagTAA 16854 686_111 2 ND ND AGCagatgggttaaGA 16858 687_1 ND ND 51 7 TGtaaacatttgTAGC16886 688_1 83 1 54 11 CCTgcttataaatgTA 16898 689_1 103 4 73 14TGCCctgcttataaAT 16901 690_1 104 2 64 22 TCttcttagttcaaTA 16935 691_1 NDND 60 9 TGgtttctaactACAT 16980 692_1 ND ND 94 22 AGtttggtttctaaCTA 16983693_1 8 2 17 5 GAAtgaaacttgcCTG 17047 694_1 98 6 51 9 ATTatccttacatGAT17173 695_1 48 4 18 4 GTacccaattatcCTT 17180 696_1 94 2 48 9TGTacccaattatCCT 17181 697_1 31 5 42 13 TTgtacccaattaTCC 17182 698_1 414 39 6 TTTgtacccaattaTC 17183 699_1 63 0 28 12 AGCAgcaggttataTT 17197700_1 99 6 43 12 TGGgaagtggtctGGG 17292 701_1 103 2 28 5CTGgagagtgataaTA 17322 702_1 52 6 27 9 AATGctggattacgTC 17354 703_1 67 337 7 CAatgctggattaCGT 17355 704_1 36 10 80 12 TTgttcagaagtATCC 17625705_1 19 9 47 9 GAtgatttgcttGGAG 17646 706_1 44 NA 60 9 GAAatcattcacaACC17860 707_1 46 9 32 9 TTGtaacatctacTAC 17891 708_1 56 0 79 17CATtaagcagcaagTT 17923 709_1 30 9 46 7 TTActagatgtgagCA 17942 710_1 29 436 6 TTtactagatgtgAGC 17943 711_1 41 13 41 6 GACcaagcaccttaCA 17971712_1 36 19 49 11 AGAccaagcacctTAC 17972 713_1 30 6 34 7ATgggttaaataAAGG 18052 714_1 70 2 24 8 TCaaccagagtattAA 18067 715_1 11 426 8 GTCaaccagagtatTA 18068 716_1 126 56 26 6 ATtgtaaagctgaTAT 18135717_1 73 1 42 10 CAcataattgtaAAGC 18141 718_1 23 9 55 18GAggtctgctattTAC 18274 719_1 50 1 42 11 TGtagattcaatgCCT 18404 720_1 793 39 10 CCtcattatactaTGA 18456 721_1 27 6 30 8 CCttatgctatgacAC 18509722_1 26 7 50 13 TCCTtatgctatgaCA 18510 723_1 59 1 48 12AAGatgtttaagtATA 18598 724_1 54 2 50 13 CTgattattaagATGT 18607 725_1 9210 84 19 TGgaaaggtatgaaTT 18808 726_1 24 8 61 16 ACttgaatggcttgGA 18880727_1 8 4 51 14 AACttgaatggctTGG 18881 728_1 35 4 35 10 CAATgtgttactatTT19004 729_1 36 9 53 11 ACAatgtgttactATT 19005 730_1 70 2 41 11CATCtgctatataaGA 19063 731_1 38 NA 42 9 CCTAgagcaaatacTT 19223 732_1 10215 15 4 CAGagttaataatAAG 19327 733_1 37 10 8 5 GTTCaagcacaacgAA 19493734_1 13 1 38 11 AGggttcaagcacAAC 19496 735_1 49 NA 36 11TGttggagacactgTT 19677 736_1 48 NA 32 10 AAGgaggagttaggAC 19821 737_1 36NA 64 11 CTATgccatttacgAT 19884 738_1 105 19 66 19 TCaaatgcagaattAG19913 739_1 44 NA 41 6 AGtgacaatcaaATGC 19921 740_1 107 NA 68 18AAgtgacaatcaaATG 19922 741_1 102 4 27 6 GTGtaccaagtaacAA 19978 742_1 11010 30 16 TGGgatgttaaacTGA 20037

Example 2—Testing In Vitro Efficacy in a Dose Response Curve

A selection of oligonucleotides from Table 10 were tested in KARPAS-299cells using half-log serial dilutions in in PBS (50 μM, 15.8 μM, 5.0 μM,1.58 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.158 μM, 0.05 μM, to 0.0158 μM oligonucleotide) in thein vitro efficacy assay described in Example 1. IC 50 and max inhibition(% residual PD-L1 expression) was assessed for the oligonucleotides.

EC50 calculations were performed in GraphPad Prism6. The IC50 andmaximum PD-L1 knock down level is shown in table 11 as % of control(PBS) treated cells.

TABLE 11 Max inhibition as % of saline and EC50 in KARPAS-299 cell line.Max Inhibition (% residual PD-L1 expression; % of Start onsaline-treated) EC50 (μM) SEQ ID CMP ID NO Avg SD Avg SD Compound CMPNO: 1 6_1 11 3.3 0.69 0.11 TCGCataagaatgaCT 371 8_1 29 1.7 0.06 0.01CTGaacacacagtCGC 383 9_1 19 1.7 0.23 0.02 TCTgaacacacagtCG 384 13_1 144.7 0.45 0.12 CTtacttagatgcTGC 495 41_1 10 1.8 0.19 0.02TCAtttagttaccCAA 822 42_1 17 1.3 0.19 0.02 TTcatttagttaCCCA 823 58_1 231.5 0.17 0.01 CCagagatatataTGC 909 77_1 24 2.4 0.16 0.02AGTatcatagttcTCC 1075 92_1 12 2.4 0.25 0.03 AGattaagacagtTGA 1310 111_13 2.0 0.27 0.03 TGaattcccatatcCGA 1992 128_1 11 1.8 0.25 0.03CTcatatcagggCAGT 2063 151_1 16 2.7 0.28 0.05 GTCatggattacaaCT 2324 164_119 1.6 0.15 0.01 TCTGtttatgtcacTG 2781 166_1 36 1.7 0.11 0.02TGgtctgtttatGTCA 2784 169_1 10 1.6 0.22 0.02 TTcagcaaatatTCGT 2995 171_112 2.0 0.21 0.02 TCTattgttaggtATC 3053 222_1 1 2.0 0.21 0.02TGacttgtaattgTGG 5467 233_1 1 4.3 0.89 0.17 TGGaatgccctaatTA 5591 245_14 2.0 0.17 0.02 TCggttatgttaTCAT 6470 246_1 7 2.1 0.25 0.03CActttatctggTCGG 6482 250_1 0 2.5 0.23 0.03 CCacatataggtcCTT 6597 251_10 2.8 0.75 0.10 CAtattgctaccaTAC 6617 252_1 3 2.2 0.19 0.02TCAtattgctaccATA 6618 256_1 5 2.2 0.32 0.03 CAAttagtgcagcCAG 6672 272_11 3.2 0.69 0.10 TACTgtagaacatgGC 7133 273_1 3 2.8 0.28 0.04GCAAttcatttgaTCT 7239 287_1 1 1.4 0.13 0.01 ACAAataatggttaCTCT 7302292_1 2 2.1 0.21 0.02 GCATttgatatagAGA 7397 303_1 0 1.2 0.21 0.01CAAgatgaatataTGCC 7551 314_1 3 2.1 0.39 0.04 GAgtttggattagCTG 7764 318_13 1.4 0.14 0.01 ACAggatatggaaGGG 7880 320_1 2 2.4 0.22 0.03GAgtaatttcaacAGG 7891 324_1 0 2.4 0.44 0.05 CAgcttactattaGGG 7906 336_10 2.5 0.21 0.03 GATGatttaattctagtCA 7984 342_1 1 2.2 0.12 0.01CAGAttgatggtagTT 8030 343_1 4 1.8 0.11 0.01 CTcagattgatgGTAG 8032 344_10 0.9 0.12 0.01 GTTagccctcagaTTG 8039 345_1 0 2.3 0.36 0.04TGtattgttagcCCTC 8045 346_1 1 2.1 0.22 0.02 ACttgtattgttAGCC 8048 349_14 2.9 0.21 0.03 ACAagtggtatctTCT 8228 359_1 6 2.9 0.39 0.05TTGAtgaggctaagTC 8395 360_1 0 1.7 0.18 0.02 CCAggattatactaTT 8439 374_15 1.7 0.33 0.03 AAGatggattgggaGT 8775 408_1 3 1.8 0.21 0.02TTtgcatatggaGGTG 8966 409_1 0 1.8 0.21 0.02 AAgtgaagttcaaCAGC 8997 415_10 1.4 0.23 0.02 AAttgagtgaatCCAA 9120 417_1 7 0.9 0.15 0.01GTGataattgagtGAA 9125 424_1 6 3.2 0.19 0.03 CTcattgaaggtTCTG 9281 429_15 2.5 0.48 0.05 CAAatagctttatCGG 9335 430_1 1 2.7 0.68 0.09CCaaatagctttATCG 9336 458_1 0 4.1 0.35 0.07 TGgagtttatattcTAGG 9512464_1 0 4.1 0.56 0.10 TGCtccagtgtaccCT 9755 466_1 1 2.1 0.21 0.02CTAattgtagtagtaCTC 9818 474_1 0 2.4 0.27 0.03 GACacactcagatttcAG 9967490_1 0 1.9 0.29 0.03 TTacttaatttcttTGGA 10055 493_1 3 1.8 0.20 0.02CTTatgatacaacTTA 10384 512_1 0 3.3 0.63 0.10 GCacaacccagaggAA 10735519_1 5 1.5 0.15 0.01 TAgatttgtgagGTAA 11055 529_1 0 2.7 0.24 0.03AGAgctttattcatgtTT 11197 533_1 6 1.5 0.14 0.01 TAGattgtttagtGCA 11228534_1 5 0.9 0.06 0.00 GTagattgtttaGTGC 11229 547_1 1 1.6 0.26 0.02TAGGataccacattatGA 11389 566_1 0 3.0 0.40 0.06 ATaaacatgaatctCTCC 11801567_1 2 2.5 0.34 0.04 CTTtataaacatgaaTCT 11804 C 578_1 2 1.3 0.09 0.01TACAtttattgggcTC 12081 582_1 1 1.6 0.20 0.02 AATCatgttggtacAT 12092601_1 1 2.1 0.47 0.05 GTAAatggcaggaaCC 13711 619_1 4 3.4 0.44 0.08TAtgacactgcaTCTT 15317 620_1 1 1.2 0.12 0.01 GTAtgacactgcaTCT 15318636_1 0 1.3 0.19 0.01 AACAtcagacaacTCTA 15693 638_1 0 2.2 0.36 0.04TAACatcagacaacTC 15695 637_1 0 2.1 0.21 0.02 TTTAacatcagacaACT 15695 C640_1 2 3.3 0.42 0.06 CCtatttaacatcAGAC 15700 645_1 1 2.9 0.34 0.04GAtccttatattCTGG 15854 650_1 0 2.4 0.24 0.03 AGgatcttactgtCATT 15877651_1 4 3.4 0.33 0.05 GCAaatcaactccATC 15896 652_1 0 1.3 0.16 0.01GTGcaaatcaactCCA 15898 653_1 4 2.0 0.09 0.01 CAATtatttctttgTGC 15910658_1 3 1.6 0.32 0.02 TCaatagtgtagggCA 16093 659_1 5 1.4 0.20 0.01TTCaatagtgtaggGC 16094 660_1 4 2.1 0.22 0.02 AGGTtaattaattcaATA 16102 G665_1 3 1.8 0.18 0.02 GTTtaaatttcaagTTCT 16185 678_1 3 2.1 0.43 0.04GAgttcttgtgttaGC 16457 679_1 0 3.5 0.31 0.05 ATTaattatccatCCAC 16590680_1 4 1.6 0.12 0.01 ATCaattaattatcCATC 16593 682_1 3 2.4 0.27 0.03TGagataccgtgcaTG 16656 683_1 0 3.2 0.16 0.03 AAtgagataccgTGCA 16658684_1 2 2.3 0.25 0.03 CTGtggttaggctaAT 16834 687_1 5 1.3 0.13 0.01AGCagatgggttaaGA 16858 694_1 0 1.7 0.16 0.02 GAAtgaaacttgcCTG 17047706_1 15 3.6 0.27 0.06 GAtgatttgcttGGAG 17646 716_1 10 2.1 0.15 0.02GTCaaccagagtatTA 18068 728_1 5 1.2 0.09 0.01 AACttgaatggctTGG 18881733_1 0 12.7 8.01 3.62 CAGagttaataatAAG 19327 734_1 0 14.6 3.49 2.39GTTCaagcacaacgAA 19493 735_1 0 2.5 0.30 0.04 AGggttcaagcacAAC 19496

A selection of oligonucleotides from Table 6 were tested in THP-1 cellsusing 1:3 serial in water from 25 μM to 0.004 μM in the in vitroefficacy assay described in Example 1. IC 50 and max inhibition (Percentresidual PD-L1 expresson) was assessed for the oligonucleotides.

EC50 calculations were performed in GraphPad Prism6. The IC50 andmaximum PD-L1 knock down level is shown in table 12 as % of control(PBS) treated cells.

TABLE 12 Max inhibition as % of saline and EC50 in THP1 cell line.Max Inhibition (% residual PD-L1 Start expression; on  % of saline)EC50 (μM) SEQ ID CMP ID NO Avg SD Avg SD Compound CMP NO: 1 6_1 12 11.50.73 0.38 TCGCataagaatgaCT 371 8_1 6 5.6 0.11 0.04 CTGaacacacagtCGC 3839_1 1 14.3 0.36 0.27 TCTgaacacacagtCG 384 13_1 2 12.4 0.49 0.31CTtacttagatgcTGC 495 41_1 14 14.6 0.38 0.27 TCAtttagttaccCAA 822 42_1 2110.4 0.22 0.10 TTcatttagttaCCCA 823 58_1 6 19.8 0.97 0.81CCagagatatataTGC 909 77_1 5 4.8 0.14 0.04 AGTatcatagttcTCC 1075 92_1 012.9 0.57 0.39 AGattaagacagtTGA 1310 128_1 15 10.1 0.23 0.13CTcatatcagggCAGT 2063 151_1 9 14.4 0.18 0.15 GTCatggattacaaCT 2324 164_116 22.0 0.57 0.60 TCTGtttatgtcacTG 2781 166_1 13 11.9 0.17 0.11TGgtctgtttatGTCA 2784 169_1 0 9.3 0.22 0.11 TTcagcaaatatTCGT 2995 171_111 12.9 0.28 0.20 TCTattgttaggtATC 3053 222_1 16 19.7 0.68 0.64TGacttgtaattgTGG 5467 245_1 14 6.1 0.26 0.08 TCggttatgttaTCAT 6470 246_128 7.3 0.10 0.20 CActttatctggTCGG 6482 252_1 19 8.0 0.29 0.12TCAtattgctaccATA 6618 272_1 3 9.7 0.25 0.14 TACTgtagaacatgGC 7133 314_113 9.6 0.31 0.15 GAgtttggattagCTG 7764 344_1 11 8.0 0.14 0.06GTTagccctcagaTTG 8039 349_1 12 12.5 0.18 0.14 ACAagtggtatctTCT 8228415_1 11 9.6 0.26 0.12 AAttgagtgaatCCAA 9120 493_1 15 16.5 0.48 0.34CTTatgatacaacTTA 10384 512_1 43 14.1 0.31 0.68 GCacaacccagaggAA 10735519_1 9 12.2 0.45 0.26 TAgatttgtgagGTAA 11055 533_1 11 13.6 0.29 0.21TAGattgtttagtGCA 11228 534_1 9 6.5 0.09 0.03 GTagattgtttaGTGC 11229582_1 0 12.3 0.33 0.23 AATCatgttggtacAT 12092 619_1 8 10.4 0.32 0.18TAtgacactgcaTCTT 15317 620_1 12 24.6 1.10 1.08 GTAtgacactgcaTCT 15318638_1 2 5.4 0.00 0.00 TAACatcagacaacTC 15695 645_1 20 29.6 1.10 1.50GAtccttatattCTGG 15854 651_1 0 11.2 0.14 0.09 GCAaatcaactccATC 15896658_1 11 13.8 0.48 0.32 TCaatagtgtagggCA 16093 659_1 0 8.2 0.11 0.06TTCaatagtgtaggGC 16094 733_1 0 69.6 11.03 26.95 CAGagttaataatAAG 19327734_1 36 16.8 2.84 2.12 GTTCaagcacaacgAA 19493

The results in table 7 and 8 are also shown in FIG. 2 in relation totheir position where they target the PD-L1 pre mRNA of SEQ ID NO: 1.

From this it can be seen that almost all of the compounds have EC50values below 1 μM and a target knock down below 25% of the PD-L1expression level in the control cells (treated with saline).

Example 3—In Vitro Potency and Efficacy and In Vivo PD-L1 Reduction inPoly(I:C) Induced Mice Using Naked and GalNAc Conjugated PD-L1 AntisenseOligonucleotides

Efficacy and potency testing was performed in an in vitro experiment inin dose-response studies in MCP-11 cells using the oligonucleotides intable 6. The same oligonucleotides as well as GalNAc conjugated versions(Table 8 CMP ID NO 755_2-765_2) were tested in vivo in poly(I:C) inducedC57BL/6J female mice for their ability to reduce PD-L1 mRNA and proteinexpression

In vitro Assay

MCP-11 cells (originally purchased from ATCC) suspended in DMEM (Sigmacat. no. D0819) supplemented with 10% horse serum, 2 mM L-glutamine,0.025 mg/ml gentamicin and 1 mM sodium pyruvate were added at a densityof 8000 cells/well to the oligonucleotides (10 μl) in 96-well roundbottom plates and cultured for 3 days in a final volume of 200 μl/wellin a humidified incubator at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. Oligonucleotides werescreened in dose-range concentrations (50 μM, 15.8 μM, 5.0 μM, 1.58 μM,0.5 μM, 0.158 μM, 0.05 μM and 0.0158 μM).

Total mRNA was extracted using the PureLink Pro 96 RNA Purification kit(Ambion), according to the manufacturer's instructions. cDNA wassynthesized using M-MLT Reverse Transcriptase, random decamersRETROscript, RNase inhibitor (Ambion) and 100 mM dNTP set (Invitrogen,PCR Grade) according to the manufacturer's instruction. For geneexpressions analysis, qPCR was performed using TaqMan Fast AdvancedMaster Mix (2×) (Ambion) in a duplex set up with TaqMan primer assaysfor the PD-L1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific; FAM-MGB Mm00452054-m1) and Gusb(Thermo Fisher Scientific; VIC-MGB-PL Mm01197698-m1). The relative PD-L1mRNA expression level is shown in table 9 as % of residual PD-L1expression in % of PBS control samples (PBS-treated cells). EC50calculations were performed in GraphPad Prism6. The EC50 and maximumPD-L1 knockdown level is shown in table 13 as % of control (PBS) cells.

In Vivo Assay

C57BL/6J female mice (20-23 g; 5 mice per group) were injected s.c. with5 mg/kg unconjugated oligonucleotides to mouse PD-L1 or 2.8 mg/kgGalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides to mouse PD-L1. Three days later, themice were injected i.v. with 10 mg/kg poly(I:C) (LWM, Invivogen). Themice were sacrificed 5 h after poly(I:C) injection and liver sampleswere placed in RNAlater (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for RNA extraction orfrozen at dry ice for protein extraction.

Total mRNA was extracted from homogenized liver samples using thePureLink Pro 96 RNA Purification kit (Ambion), according to themanufacturer's instructions. cDNA was synthesized using M-MLT ReverseTranscriptase, random decamers RETROscript, RNase inhibitor (Ambion) and100 mM dNTP set (Invitrogen, PCR Grade) according to the manufacturer'sinstruction. For gene expressions analysis, qPCR was performed usingTaqMane Fast Advanced Master Mix TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix (2×)(Ambion) in a duplex set up with TaqMan primer assays for the PD-L1 mRNA(Thermo Fisher Scientific; FAM-MGB Mm00452054-m1) and TBP (Thermo FisherScientific; VIC-MGB-PL Mm00446971_m1). The relative PD-L1 mRNAexpression level is shown in table 13 as % of control samples from miceinjected with saline and poly(I:C).

Liver homogenates were prepared by homogenizing liver samples in 2 mlper 100 mg tissue T-PER® Tissue Protein Extraction Reagent (ThermoFisher Scientific) mixed with 1× Halt Protease Inhibitor Cocktail,EDTA-Free (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Protein concentrations in liverhomogenates were measured using Coomassie Plus (Bradford) Assay Reagent(Thermo Scientific) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Liverhomogenates (40 μg protein) were separated on 4-12% Bis-Tris Pluspolyacrylamide gels (Thermo Fisher Scientific) in 1×MOPS running bufferand transferred to nitrocellulose membranes using iBLOT Dry blottingsystem (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer'sinstructions. Each blot was cut in to two parts horizontally at the 64kDa band. Following blocking in TBS containing 5% skim milk and 0.05%Tween20, the membranes were incubated overnight at 4° C. with rabbitmonoclonal anti-vinculin (Abcam cat. no. ab129002) diluted 1:10000(upper membranes) or goat polyclonal anti-mPD-L1 (R&D Systems cat. no.AF1019) diluted 1:1000 (lower membranes) in TBS containing 5% skim milkand 0.05% Tween20. The membranes were washed in TBS containing 0.05%Tween20 and exposed for 1 h at room temperature to HRP-conjugated swineanti-rabbit IgG (DAKO) diluted 1:3000 (upper membranes) orHRP-conjugated rabbit anti-goat IgG (DAKO) diluted 1:2000 in TBScontaining 5% skim milk and 0.05% Tween20. Following washing of themembranes, the reactivity was detected using ECL select (Amersham GEHealthcare). For each group of mice treated with oligonucleotides, theintensity of the PD-L1 bands in relation to vinculin bands wereevaluated by comparison with the PD-L1/vinculin band intensities of miceinjected with saline and poly(I:C) (control). Results are shown in table13, and westernblots with pairs of naked and conjugated oligonucleotidesare shown in FIG. 9 A-E.

TABLE 13In vitro and in vivo efficacy of oligonucleotides to mouse PD-L1 MaxPD-L1 protein CMP Inhibition EC50 PD-L1 mRNA (relative to ID NOCompound CMP (% of PBS) (μM) (% of control) control) 744_1AGTttacattttcTGC 9.1 0.56 86 ++ 746_1 CACctttaaaaccCCA 5.0 0.46 181 nd747_1 TCCtttataatcaCAC 4.4 0.52 104 ++ 748_1 ACGgtattttcacAGG 1.8 0.26102 +++ 749_1 GACactacaatgaGGA 7.6 1.21 104 nd 750_1 TGGtttttaggacTGT12.4 0.74 84 nd 751_1 CGAcaaattctatCCT 9.9 0.69 112 nd 752_1TGAtatacaatgcTAC 10.5 1.11 142 +++ 753_1 TCGttgggtaaatTTA 5.7 0.53 116+++ 754_1 TGCtttataaatgGTG 5.2 0.35 98 nd 755_25′-GN2-C6-caAGTttacattttcTGC nd nd 58 + 757_25′-GN2-C6-caCACctttaaaaccCCA nd nd 62 nd 758_25′-GN2-C6-caTCCtttataatcaCAC nd nd 53 + 759_25′-GN2-C6-caACGgtattttcacAGG nd nd 66 + 760_25′-GN2-C6-caGACactacaatgaGGA nd nd 101 nd 761_25′-GN2-C6-caTGGtttttaggacTGT nd nd 99 nd 762_25′-GN2-C6-caCGAcaaattctatCCT nd nd 84 nd 763_25′-GN2-C6-caTGAtatacaatgcTAC nd nd 93 +++ 764_25′-GN2-C6-caTCGttgggtaaatTTA nd nd 53 + 765_25′-GN2-C6-caTGCtttataaatgGTG nd nd 106 nd +++: similar to PD-L1/vinculinband intensity of control; ++: weaker than PD-L1/vinculin band intensityof control; +: much weaker than PD-L1/vinculin band intensity ofcontrol; nd = not determined.

From the data in table 13 it can be seen that GalNAc conjugation of theoligonucleotides clearly improves the in vivo PD-L1 reduction. Thereduction of mRNA generally correlates with a reduction in PD-L1protein. Except for CMP ID NO: 754_1, a low in vitro EC50 valuegenerally reflects a good in vivo PD-L1 mRNA reduction once theoligonucleotide is conjugated to GalNAc.

Example 4—In Vivo PK/PD in Sorted Hepatocytes and Non-Parenchymal Cellsfrom Poly(I:C) Induced Mice

The distribution of naked and GalNAc conjugated oligonucleotides as wellas PD-L1 mRNA reduction was investigated in hepatocytes andnon-parenchymal cells isolated from poly(I:C) induced mice.

C57BL/6J female mice (n=3 per group) were injected s.c. with 5 mg/kgunconjugated oligonucleotide (748_1) or 7 mg/kg GalNAc-conjugatedoligonucleotides (759_2) targeting mouse PD-L1 mRNA. Two days later, themice were injected i.p. with 15 mg/kg poly(I:C) (LWM, Invivogen). Themice were anesthesized 18-20 h after poly(I:C) injection and the liverwas perfused at a flow rate of 7 ml per min through the vena cava usingHank's balanced salt solution containing 15 mM Hepes and 0.38 mM EGTAfor 5 min followed by collagenase solution (Hank's balanced saltsolution containing 0.17 mg/ml Collagenase type 2 (Worthington 4176),0.03% BSA, 3.2 mM CaCl₂ and 1.6 g/I NaHCO₃) for 12 min. Followingperfusion, the liver was removed and the liver capsule was opened, theliver suspension was filtered through 70 μm cell strainer using WilliamE medium and an aliquot of the cell suspension (=mixed liver cells) wasremoved for later analysis. The rest of the cell suspension wascentrifuged for 3 min at 50×g. The supernatant was collected for laterpurification of non-parenchymal cells. The pellet was resuspended in 25ml William E medium (Sigma cat. no. W1878 complemented with 1×Pen/Strep, 2 mM L-glutamine and 10% FBS (ATCC #30-2030)), mixed with 25ml William E medium containing 90% percoll and the hepatocytes wereprecipitated by centrifugation at 50×g for 10 min. Following 2× washingin William E medium, the precipitated hepatocytes were resuspended inWilliams E medium. The supernant containing non-parenchymal cells wascentrifuged at 500×g 7 min and the cells were resuspended in 4 ml RPMImedium and centrifugated through two layers of percoll (25% and 50%percoll) at 1800×g for 30 min. Following collection of thenon-parenchymal cells between the two percoll layers, the cells werewashed and resuspended in RPMI medium.

Total mRNA was extracted from purified hepatocytes, non-parenchymalcells and total liver suspension (non-fractionated liver cells) usingthe PureLink Pro 96 RNA Purification kit (Ambion), according to themanufacturer's instructions. cDNA was synthesized using M-MLT ReverseTranscriptase, random decamers RETROscript, RNase inhibitor (Ambion) and100 mM dNTP set (Invitrogen, PCR Grade) according to the manufacturer'sinstruction. For gene expressions analysis, qPCR was performed usingTaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix (2×) (Ambion) in a duplex set up withTaqMan primer assays for the PD-L1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific; FAM-MGBMm00452054-m1) and TBP (Thermo Fisher Scientific; VIC-MGB-PLMm00446971_m1). The relative PD-L1 mRNA expression level is shown intable 10 as % of control samples from mice injected with saline andpoly(I:C).

Oligonucleotide content analysis was performed using ELISA employing abiotinylated capture probe with the sequence 5′-TACCGT-s-Bio-3′ and adigoxigenin conjugated detection probe with the sequence5′-DIG-C12-S1-CCTGTG-3′. The probes consisted of only LNA with aphosphodiester backbone. Liver samples (approximately 50 mg) werehomogenized in 1.4 mL MagNa pure lysis buffer (Roche Cat. No03604721001) in a 2 mL Eppendorf tube containing one 5 mm stainlesssteel bead. Samples were homogenized on Retsch MM400 homogenizer (MerckEurolab) until a uniform lysate was obtained. The samples were incubatedfor 30 min at room temperature. Standards were generated by spiking theunconjugated antisense oligonucleotide compound (CMP ID NO 748_1) indefined concentrations into an untreated liver sample and processingthem as the samples. Spike-in concentrations are chosen to match theexpected sample oligo content (within ˜10-fold).

The homogenized samples were diluted a minimum of 10 times in 5×SSCTbuffer (750 mM NaCl, and 75 mM sodium citrate, containing 0.05% (v/v)Tween-20, pH 7.0) and a dilution series of 6 times 2 fold dilutionsusing capture-detection solution (35 nM capture probe and 35 nMdetection probe in 5×SSCT buffer) were made and incubated for 30 min atroom temperature. The samples were transferred to a 96 well streptavidincoated plate (Nunc Cat. No. 436014) with 100 μL in each well. The plateswere incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with gentle agitation.Wash three times with 2×SSCT buffer and add 100 μL anti-DIG-AP Fabfragment (Roche Applied Science, Cat. No. 11 093 274 910) diluted 1:4000in PBST (Phosphate buffered saline, containing 0.05% (v/v) Tween-20, pH7.2, freshly made) was added to each well and incubated for 1 hour atroom temperature under gentle agitation. Wash three times with 2×SSCTbuffer and add 100 μL of alkaline phosphatase (AP) substrate solution(Blue Phos Substrate, KPL product code 50-88-00, freshly prepared). Theintensity of the color was measured spectrophotometrically at 615 nmafter 30 minutes incubation with gentle agitation. Raw data wereexported from the readers (Gen5 2.0 software) to excel format andfurther analyzed in excel. Standard curves were generated using GraphPadPrism 6 software and a logistic 4PL regression model.

TABLE 14 PD-L1 expression and oligo content in total liver suspension,hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells from poly(I:C) mice treated withunconjugated and GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides, n = 3. PD-L1expression oligo content CMP ID (% of saline-poly(I:C)) (ng/10⁵ cells)Cell type no Avg SD Avg SD Total liver 748_1 31 12.4 2.3 0.3 759_2 285.3 8.3 1.1 Hepatocytes 748_1 33 8.0 5.1 3.7 759_2 7 1.0 43.8 18.9 Non-748_1 31 10.1 2.2 0.7 parenchymal 759_2 66 1.6 1.7 0.9 cells

The results show that naked (CMP ID NO: 748_1) and conjugated (CMP IDNO: 759_2) oligonucleotide reduce PD-L1 mRNA equally well in total livercells. In isolated hepatocytes, the effect of the conjugatedoligonucleotide is almost 5 fold stronger than the effect of the nakedoligonucleotide, while naked oligonucleotides showed two fold strongereffect than GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides in non-parenchymal cells.In hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells the reduction of PD-L1 mRNAexpression correlates to some extent with the oligonucleotide content inthese cell types.

Example 5—In Vivo PD-L1 Knock Down in AAV/HBV Mice Using Naked andGalNAc Conjugated PD-L1 Antisense Oligonucleotides

In the present study AAV/HBV mice were treated with naked or conjugatedto GalNAc PD-L1 antisense oligonucleotides, and the PD-L1 mRNAexpression and HBV gene expression was evaluated in the liver.

Female HLA-A2/DR1 mice 5-8 weeks old (5 animals pr. group) werepretreated at week −1 vehicle (saline), naked PD-L1 antisenseoligonucleotides (CMP ID NO 752_1 at 5 mg/kg s.c.) and GalNAc PD-L1antisense oligonucleotides (CMP ID NO 763_2 at 7 mg/kg s.c.), thesedoses correspond to equimolar concentrations of the oligonucleotides.The mice were transduced by 5×10¹⁰ vg AAV-HBV at week 0 (for furtherdetails see description AAV/HBV mouse model in the Materials and Methodssection). From W1 post AAV-HBV transduction to W4, mice received 4additional s.c. injections of PD-L1 oligonucleotides or vehicle (salinesolution), given one week apart.

Blood samples were taken one week before transduction and one week aftereach injection.

Mice were sacrificed two weeks after the last injections and their liverwere removed following PBS perfusion. The liver was cut in smallerpieces and directly frozen.

To measure HBV gene expression, DNA was extracted from serum with QiagenBiorobot using the QIAamp One for all nucleic acid kit, Cat. #965672,serum was diluted 1:20 dilution in PBS a total of 100 μl was lysed in200 ul Buffer AL. DNA was eluted from the kit in 100 μl.

For the Real-Time qPCR the TaqMan Gene Expression Master Mix (cat.#4369016, Applied Biosystems) was used together with a primer mixprepared by adding 1:1:0.5 of the following primers F3_core, R3_core,P3_core (Integrated DNA Technologies, all reconstituted at 100 uM each)

Forward (F3_core): (SEQ ID NO: 784) CTG TGC CTT GGG TGG CTT TReverse (R3_core): (SEQ ID NO: 785) AAG GAA AGA AGT CAG AAG GCA AAAProbe (P3_core): (SEQ ID NO: 786)56-FAM-AGC TCC AAA/ZEN/TTC TTT ATA AGG GTC GAT GTC  CAT G-31ABkFQ 

A standard curve using HBV plasmid (Genotype D, GTD) was prepared using10-fold dilutions starting with 1×10⁹ copies/μl down to 1 copy/μl andused in 5 μl per reaction.

For each reaction 10 μl Gene Expression Master Mix, 4.5 μl water, 0.5 μlPrimer mix and 5 μl sample or standard was added and the qPCR was run.

For the analysis the copy number/ml/well was calculated using thestandard curve. The results are shown in table 15.

PD-L1 mRNA expression was measured using qPCR.

mRNA was extracted from frozen liver pieces that were added to 2 mltubes containing ceramic beads (Lysing Matrix D tubes, 116913500, mpbio)and 1 ml of Trizol.

The liver piece was homogenized using the Precellys Tissue Disruptor.200 μl Chloroform was added to the homogenate, vortexed and centrifugedat 4° C. for 20 min at 10000 rpm. The RNA containing clear phase (around500 ul) was transferred into a fresh tube and the same volume of 70%EtOH was added. After mixing well the solution was transferred onto aRNeasy spin column and RNA was further extracted following the RNeasyKit's manual RNeasy Mini Kit, cat. #74104, Qiagen (including the RNAdigestion RNase-free DNase Set, cat. #79254). Elution in 50 μl H₂O. Thefinal RNA concentration was measured and adjusted to 100 ng/ul for allsamples.

The qPCR was conducted on 7.5 μl RNA using the Taqman RNA-to-ct 1-stepKit, cat. #4392938, Thermo Fisher according to the manufacturesinstructions. The fprimer mixed used contained PD-L1_1-3 (Primer numberMm00452054_m1, Mm03048247_m1 and Mm03048248_m1) and endogounous controls(ATCB Mm00607939_s1, CANX Mm00500330_m1, YWHAZ Mm03950126_s1 and GUSBMm01197698_m1)

Data were analysed using the 2{circumflex over ( )}-ddct method. Themean of all four endogenous controls was used to calculate dct values.The PD-L1 expression relative to mean of the endogenous controls and in% of saline

TABLE 15 PD-L1 mRNA expression and HBV DNA in AAV/HBV mice treated withunconjugated and GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides, n = 5. PD-L1 mRNAHBV DNA expression expression (% of saline) (% of saline) CMP ID no AvgSD Avg SD Naked 752_1 55 35 72 16 GalNAc conjugated 763_2 34 3 79 9

From these results it can be seen that both naked and GalNAc conjugatedoligonucleotides are capable of reducing PD-L1 mRNA expression in theliver of an AAV/HBV mouse, with the GalNAc conjugated oligonucleotidebeing somewhat better. Both oligonucleotides also resulted in somereduction in HBV DNA in the serum.

Example 6—In Vivo Effect on T Cell Response in AAV/HBV Mice

In the present study AAV/HBV mice from Pasteur were treated with anantibody or antisense oligonucleotides targeting PD-L1. The antisenseoligonucleotides were either naked or conjugated to GalNAc. During thetreatment the animals were immunized with a DNA vaccine against HBs andHBc antigens (see Materials and Methods section) to ensure efficient Tcell priming by the antigen presenting cells. It was evaluated how thetreatment affected the cell population in liver and spleen, as well asthe PD-L1 expression on these populations and whether a HBV specific Tcell response could be identified.

Treatment Protocol:

Female HLA-A2/DR1 mice were treated according to the protocols below.The study was conducted in two separate sub-studies, with slightdifferences in the administration regimens as indicated in Table 16 and17 below.

DNA vaccine and anti-PD-L1 antibody was administered as described in thematerials and method section. The antisense oligonucleotides used wereCMP ID NO 748_1 (naked) at 5 mg/kg and CMP ID NO: 759_2 (GalNAcconjugated) at 7 mg/kg, both where administered as subcutaneousinjections (s.c.).

TABLE 16 AAV/HBV mouse treatment protocol with DNA vaccine and DNAvaccine + anti-PD-L1 antibody, 6 mice in each group DNA vaccine +Vehicle DNA vaccine anti-PDL-1 Ab Day (Group 10) (Group 11) (Group 13) 0AAV/HBV 29* Animal randomization 34 Saline + Isotype — Ab 41 Saline +Isotype — Ab 48 Saline + Isotype — Ab 50 — CaTx CaTx 55* PBS + IsotypeDNA DNA + Ab 62 Saline + Isotype — Ab 69 PBS + Isotype DNA DNA + Ab 76*Saline + Isotype — Ab 83 Saline + Isotype — Ab 97* Sacrifice Isotype =mouse IgG control Ab, CaTx = cardiotoxine, DNA = DNA vaccine, Ab =anti-PD-L1 Ab and *= serum collection

TABLE 17 AAV/HBV mouse treatment protocol with DNA vaccine and DNAvaccine + naked or conjugated PD-L1 oligonucleotide (ASO), 7 mice ineach group DNA DNA vaccine + vaccine + GN- Vehicle DNA vaccine PDL-1 ASOPDL-1 ASO Day (Group 1) (Group 2) (Group 7) (Group 8)  0 AAV/HBV  29*Animal randomization  39 Saline Saline  41 Saline ASO GN-ASO  46 SalineSaline  49 Saline ASO GN-ASO  53 Saline Saline  55 CaTx CaTx CaTx CaTx 56 Saline ASO GN-ASO  59 PBS + Saline DNA + PBS DNA DNA  62* Saline ASOGN-ASO  67 Saline Saline  70 Saline ASO GN-ASO  74 PBS + Saline DNA +PBS DNA DNA  77 Saline ASO GN-ASO  81 Saline Saline  84* Saline ASOGN-ASO  88 Saline Saline  91 Saline ASO GN-ASO 102 Sacrifice DNA = DNAvaccine, CaTx = cardiotoxine, Ab = anti-PD-L1 Ab, ASO = naked PDL-1oligonucleotide, GN-ASO = GalNAc-PDL-1 oligonucleotide and *= serumcollection

At the time of sacrifice blood, spleen and liver mononuclear cells ofeach mouse from each group were collected and depleted of red bloodcells (Lysing Buffer, BD biosciences, 555899). The liver mononuclearcells required a specific preparation as described in the materials andmethod section.

Cell Populations: In the liver the cell population was analyzed bysurface labeling on liver mononuclear cells (see materials and methods)using cytometry.

No significant changes were noticed in the frequencies of NK cells inthe spleen and liver of treated mice compared to control groups (i.e.vehicle and DNA-immunized groups). Table 18 show that in the liver,groups treated with naked PD-L1 oligonucleotide (CMP ID NO 748_1) andGalNAc conjugated PD-L1 oligonucleotide (CMP ID NO: 759_2) had asignificant increase in T cell numbers compared to either control groups(i.e. vehicle and DNA-immunized groups) also presented in FIG. 10 A.This increase was due to an increase in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cellpopulations (Table 18 and FIGS. 10B and 10C, respectively).

TABLE 18 T-cells in the liver following treatment in millions of cellsT-cells CD4+ T-cells CD8+ T-cells (millinons) (millions) (millions) AvgStd Avg Std Avg Std Vehicle (Group 1) 0.77 0.44 0.51 0.35 0.11 0.05 DNAvaccine (Group 2) 0.90 0.24 0.58 0.16 0.16 0.08 DNA vaccine + 1.98 0.901.40 0.81 0.41 0.23 anti-PD-L1 Ab (Group 13) Vehicle (Group 10) 1.730.87 1.13 0.55 0.40 0.25 DNA vaccine (Group 11) 1.27 0.97 0.79 0.58 0.320.32 DNA vaccine + 3.78 1.31 2.46 0.72 0.79 0.39 PD-L1 ASO (Group 7) DNAvaccine + 3.33 0.66 2.18 0.40 0.67 0.17 GN-PD-L1 ASO (Group 8)

PD-L1 Expression:

The expression of PD-L1 protein was evaluated on macrophages, B and Tcells from spleen and liver at time of sacrifice. The presence of PD-L1antibody in the surface labeling antibody mix (see materials andmethods) allowed quantification of PD-L1 expressing cells by cytometry.

In spleen, no significant difference between the treatments was observedin the % of macrophages, B cells and CD4+ T cells expressing PD-L1. The% of the CD8+ T cells expressing PD-L1 was lower in mice treated withnaked PD-L1 oligonucleotide (CMP ID NO 748_1) and GalNAc conjugatedPD-L1 oligonucleotide (CMP ID NO: 759_2) when compared to the othertreatments (data not shown).

In liver, PD-L1 was expressed mainly on CD8+ T cells with a meanfrequency of 32% and 41% in the control groups (the two vehicle and DNAvaccination groups combined, respectively, FIG. 11A). Treatment withnaked PD-L1 oligonucleotide or GalNAc PD-L1 oligonucleotide resulted ina decrease of the frequency of CD8+ T cells expressing PD-L1 (see table19 FIG. 11A). Significant differences in the % of cells expressing PD-L1were also noticed for B cells and CD4+ T-cells after ASO treatment,although these cell types express significantly less PD-L1 than the CD8+T cells (see table 19 and FIGS. 11B and C). Treatment with anti-PD-L1Ab, also resulted in an apparent decrease in the PD-L1 expression in allcell types. It is, however, possible that this decrease is due to partlyblockage of the PD-L1 epitope by the anti-PD-L1 antibody used fortreatment, so that the PD-L1 detection antibody in the surface labelingantibody mix is prevented from binding to PD-L1. Therefore what appearsto be a PD-L1 down regulation by the anti-PD-L1 antibody used fortreatment may be the result of epitope competition between the treatmentantibody and the detection antibody.

TABLE 19 % of liver cell population with PD-L1 expression % of CD8+ % of% of T-cells CD4+ T-cells B-cells Avg Std Avg Std Avg Std Vehicle (Group10) 35.5 4.7 0.75 0.52 5.9 1.5 DNA vaccine 36.8 7.7 0.61 0.08 5.5 1.1(Group 11) DNA vaccine + 18.6 12.3 0.33 0.10 2.9 1.7 anti-PD-L1 Ab(Group 13) Vehicle 28.5 11.5 0.64 0.21 5.9 1.7 (Group 1) DNA vaccine44.9 14.4 1.43 0.69 8.7 3.1 (Group 2) DNA vaccine + 9.6 2.4 0.37 0.212.9 0.8 PD-L1 ASO (Group 7) DNA vaccine + 14.6 3.3 0.31 0.11 2.8 0.8GN-PD-L1 ASO Group 8)

HBV Specific T Cell Response:

NK cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing pro-inflammatory cytokineswere detected using the intracellular cytokine staining assays (seeMaterials and Methods section) detecting IFNγ and TNFα production.

In the spleen no NK cells and few CD4+ T cells secreting IFNγ- and TNFαwere detectable (frequency<0.1%) at sacrifice. IFNγ-producing CD8+ Tcells targeting the two HBV antigens were detected in mice treated withnaked PD-L1 oligonucleotide or GalNAc PD-L1 oligonucleotide as well asin mice from this study which received only DNA vaccine (data notshown).

In the livers of DNA-immunized HBV-carrier mice, no IFNγ-producing NKcells were detected at sacrifice, whereas IFNγ-secreting CD4+ T cellsspecific for Core or for S2+S were detected in the liver of a fewDNA-immunized mice at a low frequency (<0.4%, data not shown). HBVS2+S-specific CD8+ T cells producing IFNγ were detected in the majorityof DNA-immunized mice. The frequency of IFNγ-secreting CD8+ T cellsincreased in mice treated with combination of DNA vaccine and nakedPD-L1 oligonucleotide or GalNAc PD-L1 oligonucleotide, whereas treatmentwith anti-PD-L1 antibody did not add any apparent additional effect tothe DNA vaccination (FIG. 12). IFNγ-producing CD8+ T cells targeting theenvelope and core antigens were detected in most DNA-immunized groups(except anti-PD-L1 antibody) (FIG. 12B). Most of the S2-S specific Tcells produced both IFNγ and TNFα (FIG. 12C). The results are also shownin Table 20.

TABLE 20 % of HBV antigen (S2-S or core) specific CD8+ T cells fromtotal IFNγ or IFNγ + TNFα cell population PreS2-S Core S2-S specific Tcells specific T cells specific T cells (% of (% of (% of IFNγ cells)IFNγ cells) IFNγ + TNFα) Avg Std Avg Std Avg Std Vehicle 0.15 0.37 0.180.43 0.00 0.00 (Group 10) DNA vaccine 1.48 1.10 0.47 0.53 0.42 1.02(Group 11) DNA vaccine + 1.18 0.95 0 0 0.38 0.49 anti-PDL-1 Ab Vehicle0.17 0.45 0.11 0.28 0.00 0.00 (Group 1) DNA vaccine 1.70 1.02 0.27 0.510.98 0.90 (Group 2) DNA vaccine + 2.56 1.60 0.78 0.80 1.44 1.55 PDL-1ASO DNA vaccine + 3.83 2.18 0.68 1.16 2.62 1.62 GN-PDL-1 ASO

Example 7—In Vivo Effect on HBV Antigen and HBV DNA in the Serum ofAAV/HBV Mice

In the present study AAV/HBV mice from Shanghai (see Materials andMethods section) were treated with the GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 antisenseoligonucleotide CMP ID NO 759_2.

It was evaluated how the treatment affected the HBe and HBs antigens andHBV DNA levels in the serum compared to vehicle treated animals.

Treatment Protocol:

Male C57BL/6 mice infected with recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)carrying the HBV genome (AAV/HBV) as described under the Shanghai modelin the materials and method section were used in this study. The mice (6mice pr. group) were injected once a week for 8 weeks with the antisenseoligonucleotide CMP ID NO: 759_2 at 5 mg/kg or vehicle (saline) bothwhere administered as subcutaneous injections (s.c.). Blood samples werecollected each week during treatment as well as 6 weeks post treatment.HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg levels were measured in the serum samples asdescribed below. The results for the first 10 weeks are shown in table21 and in FIG. 13. The study was still ongoing at the time of filing theapplication therefore data for the remaining 4 weeks have not beenobtained.

HBsAg and HBeAg Detection:

Serum HBsAg and HBeAg levels were determined in the serum of infectedAAV-HBV mouse using the HBsAg chemoluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) andthe HBeAg CLIA kit (Autobio diagnostics Co. Ltd., Zhengzhou, China, Cat.no.CL0310-2 and CL0312-2 respectively), according to the manufacturer'sprotocol. Briefly, 50 μl of serum was transferred to the respectiveantibody coated microtiter plate and 50 μl of enzyme conjugate reagentwas added. The plate was incubated for 60 min on a shaker at roomtemperature before all wells were washed six times with washing bufferusing an automatic washer. 25 μl of substrate A and then 25 μl ofsubstrate B was added to each well. The plate was incubated for 10 minat RT before luminescence was measured using an Envision luminescencereader. HBsAg is given in the unit IU/ml; where 1 ng HBsAg=1.14 IU.HBeAg is given in the unit NCU/ml serum.

HBV DNA Extraction and qPCR:

Initially mice serum was diluted by a factor of 10 (1:10) with Phosphatebuffered saline (PBS). DNA was extracted using the MagNA Pure 96 (Roche)robot. 50 μl of the diluted serum was mixed in a processing cartridgewith 200 ul MagNA Pure 96 external lysis buffer (Roche, Cat. no.06374913001) and incubated for 10 minutes. DNA was then extracted usingthe “MagNA Pure 96 DNA and Viral Nucleic Acid Small Volume Kit” (Roche,Cat. no. 06543588001) and the “Viral NA Plasma SV external lysis 2.0”protocol. DNA elution volume was 50 μl.

Quantification of extracted HBV DNA was performed using a Taqman qPCRmachine (ViiA7, life technologies). Each DNA sample was tested induplicate in the PCR. 5 μl of DNA sample was added to 15 μl of PCRmastermix containing 10 μl TaqMan Gene Expression Master Mix (AppliedBiosystems, Cat. no. 4369016), 0.5 μl PrimeTime XL qPCR Primer/Probe(IDT) and 4.5 μl distilled water in a 384 well plate and the PCR wasperformed using the following settings: UDG Incubation (2 min, 50° C.),Enzyme Activation (10 min, 95° C.) and PCR (40 cycles with 15 sec, 95°for Denaturing and 1 min, 60° C. for annealing and extension). DNA copynumbers were calculated from C_(t) values based on a HBV plasmid DNAstandard curve by the ViiA7 software.

Sequences for TaqMan primers and probes (IDT):Forward core primer (F3_core): (SEQ ID NO: 784)CTG TGC CTT GGG TGG CTT T Reverse primer (R3_core): (SEQ ID NO: 785)AAG GAA AGA AGT CAG AAG GCA AAA Taqman probe (P3_core): (SEQ ID NO: 786)56-FAM/AGC TCC AAA/ZEN/TTC TTT ATA AGG GTC GAT  GTC CAT G/3IABkFQ.

TABLE 21 HBV-DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg levels in serum from AAV/HBV micefollowing treatment with GaINAc conjugated PD-L1 antisenseoligonucleotide. Saline CMP ID NO: 759_2 at 5 mg/kg HBV- HBV- DNA HBsAgHBeAg DNA HBsAg HBeAg Day Avg Std Avg Std Avg Std Avg Std Avg Std AvgStd 0 7.46 0.35 3.96 0.48 3.23 0.14 7.44 0.29 3.87 0.40 3.17 0.13 7 7.530.23 4.17 0.45 3.35 0.10 7.53 0.20 3.91 0.42 3.19 0.18 14 7.57 0.24 4.120.49 3.19 0.11 7.45 0.22 3.90 0.50 2.99 0.27 21 7.47 0.27 3.93 0.51 3.120.05 7.33 0.47 3.71 0.76 2.78 0.26 28 7.68 0.26 3.88 0.67 3.18 0.13 7.450.46 3.65 0.93 2.67 0.38 35 7.69 0.21 4.03 0.54 2.95 0.08 7.13 0.75 2.981.05 2.04 0.38 42 7.58 0.23 3.89 0.65 3.34 0.10 6.69 0.89 2.60 1.05 1.980.45 49 7.77 0.17 3.54 1.06 3.08 0.26 6.56 1.26 2.19 0.70 1.47 0.37 567.71 0.24 3.99 0.86 3.28 0.05 6.21 1.48 2.28 0.84 1.38 0.30 63 7.59 0.283.67 1.07 3.25 0.13 6.08 1.39 2.08 0.71 1.35 0.30

From this study it can be seen that GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 antisenseoligonucleotide CMP NO 759_2 has a significant effect on the reductionof HBV-DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg levels in serum after 6 weeks of treatment,and effect that is sustained for at least 2 weeks after the treatmenthas ended.

Example 8—In Vitro PD-L1 Knock Down in Human Primary Hepatocytes UsingGalNAc Conjugated PD-L1 Oligonucleotides

The ability of GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 antisense oligonucleotidecompounds to reduce the PD-L1 transcript in primary human hepatocyteswas investigated using genomics.

Cell Culture

Cryopreserved human hepatocytes were suspended in WME supplemented with10% fetal calf serum, penicillin (100 U/ml), streptomycin (0.1 mg/ml)and L-glutamine (0.292 mg/ml) at a density of approx. 5×10⁶ cells/ml andseeded into collagen-coated 24-well plates (Becton Dickinson AG,Allschwil, Switzerland) at a density of 2×10⁵ cells/well. Cells werepre-cultured for 4 h allowing for attachment to cell culture platesbefore start of treatment with oligonucleotides at a final concentrationof 100 μM. The oligonucleotides used are shown in table 21 and table 8,vehicle was PBS. Seeding medium was replaced by 315 μl of serum free WME(supplemented with penicillin (100 U/ml), streptomycin (0.1 mg/ml),L-glutamine (0.292 mg/ml)) and 35 μl of 1 mM oligonucleotide stocksolutions in PBS were added to the cell culture and left on the cellsfor 24 hours or 66 hours.

Library Preparation

Transcript expression profiling was performed using Illumina StrandedmRNA chemistry on the Illumina sequencing platform with a sequencingstrategy of 2×51 bp paired end reads and a minimum read depth of 30M perspecimen (Q squared EA). Cells were lysed in the wells by adding 350 μlof Qiagen RLT buffer and were accessioned in a randomization scheme.

mRNA was purified using the Qiagen RNeasy Mini Kit. mRNA was quantitatedand integrity was assessed using an Agilent Bioanalyzer. Upon initialquality assessment of the isolated RNA, it was observed that all samplesmet the input quality metric of 100 ng with RIN scores>7.0.

Sequencing libraries were generated for all samples using the IlluminaTruSeq Stranded mRNA Library Preparation, starting with 100 ng of totalRNA. Final cDNA libraries were analyzed for size distribution and usingan Agilent Bioanalyzer (DNA 1000 kit), quantitated by qPCR (KAPA LibraryQuant Kit) and normalized to 2 nM in preparation for sequencing. TheStandard Cluster Generation Kit v5 was used to bind the cDNA librariesto the flow cell surface and the cBot isothermally to amplify theattached cDNA constructs up to clonal clusters of ˜1000 copies each. TheDNA sequence was determined by sequencing-by-synthesis technology usingthe TruSeq SBS Kit.

Data Processing

Illumina paired-end sequencing reads of length 2×51 bp were mapped onthe human reference genome hg19 using the GSNAP short read alignmentprogram. SAM-format alignments were converted into sorted alignmentBAM-format files using the SAMTOOLS program. Gene read counts wereestimated for PD-L1 based on the exon annotation from NCBI RefSeq,specified by the corresponding GTF file for hg19. A normalization stepaccounting for the different library size of each sample was appliedusing the DESeq2 R package.

The reduction in PD-L1 transcript after incubation with GalNAcconjugated PD-L1 antisense oligonucleotide compounds are shown in table22.

TABLE 22 PD-L1 transcript reduction in human primary hepatocytesfollowing treatment with GalNAc conjugated oligonucleotides, n = 4 PD-L1expression level PD-L1 expression level 24 h 66 h (library Compound(library size adjusted counts) size adjusted counts) Vehicle 259 156 159168 192 136 202 211 767_2 7 7 11 14 22 9 28 15 766_2 16 13 15 10 17 1129 13 769_2 15 21 18 18 25 18 26 25 768_2 41 25 27 48 31 25 34 22 770_221 16 44 62 67 51 38 63

All five GalNAc conjugated antisense compounds showed significant PD-L1transcript reduction after 24 and 66 hour incubation when compared tosamples treated with vehicle.

Example 9—EC50 of Conjugated and Naked PD-L1 Antisense Oligonucleotidesin HBV Infected ASGPR-HepaRG Cells

The potency of two naked and the equivalent GalNAc conjugated PD-L1antisense oligonucleotides were compared in HBV infected ASGPR-HepaRGcells.

Cell Line

HepaRG cells (Biopredic International, Saint-Gregoire, France) werecultured in Williams E medium (supplemented with 10% HepaRG growthsupplement (Biopredic). From this cell line a HepaRG cell line stablyoverexpressing human ASGPR1 and ASGPR2 was generated using a lentiviralmethod. Proliferating HepaRG cells were transduced at MOI 300 with alentivirus produced on demand by Sirion biotech(CLV-CMV-ASGPR1-T2a_ASGPR2-IRES-Puro) coding for Human ASGPR1 and 2under the control of a CMV promoter and a puromycin resistance gene.Transduced cells were selected for 11 days with 1 μg/ml puromycin andthen maintained in the same concentration of antibiotic to ensure stableexpression of the transgenes. ASGPR1/2 overexpression was confirmed bothat mRNA level by RT-qPCR (ASGPR1: 8560 fold vs non-transduced, ASGPR2:2389 fold vs non transduced), and at protein level by flow cytometryanalysis.

The cells were differentiated using 1.8% DMSO for at least 2 weeksbefore infection. HBV genotype D was derived from HepG2.2.15 cellculture supernatant and was concentrated using PEG precipitation. Toevaluate activity of test compounds against HBV, differentiatedASGPR-HepaRG cells in 96 well plates were infected with HBV at an MOI of20 to 30 for 20 h, before the cells were washed 4 times with PBS toremove the HBV inoculum.

Oligonucleotide Potency

The following oligonucleotides

Naked PD-L1 ASO Equivalent GalNAc conjugated PD-L1 ASO CPM ID NO: 640_1CPM ID NO: 768_2 CPM ID NO: 466_1 CPM ID NO: 769_2

were added to the HBV infected ASGPR-HepaRG cells on day 7 and day 10post infection using serial dilutions from 25 μM to 0.4 nM (1:4dilutions in PBS). Cells were harvested on day 13 post infection.

Total mRNA was extracted using the MagNA Pure 96 Cellular RNA LargeVolume Kit on the MagNA Pure 96 System (Roche Diagnostics) according tothe manufacturer's instructions. For gene expression analysis, RT-qPCRwas performed as described in Example 5.

Data were analysed using the 2{circumflex over ( )}-ddct method. ActinBwas used as the endogenous control to calculate dct values. The PD-L1expression is relative to the endogenous controls and to the salinevehicle.

EC50 calculations were performed in GraphPad Prism6 and is shown intable 23.

TABLE 23 EC50 in ASGPR-HepaRG HBV infected cells, n = 4. CMP ID NO EC50(μM) 640_1 2.25 768_2 0.10 466_1 5.82 769_2 0.13

These data clearly shows that GalNAc conjugation of the PD-L1 antisenseoligonucleotides improves the EC50 values significantly.

Example 10—Stimulation T Cell Function in PBMCs Derived from Chronic HBVPatients

It was investigated whether naked PD-L1 antisense compounds couldincrease the T cells function of chronically infected HBV (CHB) patientsafter ex-vivo HBV antigen stimulation of the peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Frozen PBMCs from three chronic HBV infected patients were thawed andseeded at a density of 200′000 cells/well in 100 μl medium(RPM11640+GlutaMax+8% Human Serum+25 mM Hepes+1% PenStrep). The nextday, cells were stimulated with 1 μM PepMix HBV Large Envelope Proteinor 1 μM PepMix HBV Core Protein (see table 9) with or without 5 μM ofCMP ID NO: 466_1 or CMP ID NO: 640_1 in 100 μl medium containing 100μg/ml IL-12 and 5 ng/ml IL-7 (Concanavalin stimulation was only appliedat day 8). Four days later PD-L1 antisense oligonucleotide treatment wasrenewed with medium containing 50 IU IL-2. At day 8 after the firststimulation the cells were re-stimulated with PepMix or 5 μg/mlConcanavalin A plus PD-L1 antisense oligonucleotide for 24 h. For thelast 5 h of the stimulation, 0.1 μl Brefeldin A, 0.1 μl Monensin and 3μl anti-human CD-107 (APC) were added.

After 24 h the cells were washed with Stain Buffer (PBS+1% BSA+0.09%Sodium Azide+EDTA) and surface staining was applied for 30 min at 4° C.[anti-human CD3 (BV 605), anti-human CD4 (FITC), anti-human CD8 (BV711),anti-human PDL1 (BV421), anti-human PD1 (PerCP-Cy5.5) and Live and Deadstain (BV510) (BD Biosciences)]. Cells were fixed in BD Fixation Bufferfor 15 min at 4° C. The next morning, cells were permeabilized with BDPerm/Wash Buffer for 15 min at 4° C. and intracellular staining was donefor 30 min at 4° C. [anti-human INFγ (PE)]. After washing in Perm/WashBuffer cells were dissolved in 250 μl stain buffer.

FACS measurement was performed on a BD Fortessa (BD Biosciences). Forthe analysis, the whole cell population was first gated on live cells(Live and Death stain, BV510), and then on CD3+ (BV605) cells. The CD3+cells were then graphed as CD107a+ (APC) vs IFNγ+ (PE).

The results are shown in table 24.

TABLE 24 Effect of PD-L1 ASO treatment on CD3+ T cell from PBMCsisolated from three chronically HBV infected patients. No antigenstimulation Envelope antigen Core antigen CMP CMP CMP CMP CMP CMP Saline466_1 640_1 Saline 466_1 640_1 Saline 466_1 640_1 INFγ−/ 1.16 4.95 4.814.7 9.12 8.62 3.84 9.66 7.31 CD107+ 2.7 3.59 2.74 2.57 3.69 3.2 3.253.34 2.92 3 3.87 3.98 4.59 12.5 10.9 9.23 6.11 6.88 INFγ+/ 0.12 1.031.15 3.19 17.3 18.9 2.38 15.1 5.75 CD107+ 0.49 3.12 1.75 2.73 7 5.341.63 2.35 1.9 0.24 1.13 1.5 1.6 8.16 3.06 1.68 1.9 1.91 INFγ+/ 0.33 1.431.08 5.11 7.74 9.47 3.14 7.76 2.83 CD107− 0.61 2.9 2.26 7.84 5.79 5.782.33 2.82 2.95 0.17 1.57 1.72 1.22 2.58 0.99 0.1 0.61 1.04

From these data it can be seen that the antigen stimulation by itself iscapable of inducing T cell activation (increase % of CD3+ cellsexpressing INFγ and/or CD107a) in the PBMCs of CHB patients (n=3). Theaddition of PD-L1 antisense oligonucleotide CMP 466_1, or 640_1 resultedin an additional increase of CD3+ T cell response. This increase wasmainly observed in the HBV envelop stimulated group.

1. An antisense oligonucleotide conjugate of formula GN2-C6ocoaoCCtatttaacatcAGAC, wherein C6 represents an amino alkyl group with 6carbons, capital letters represent beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides, lowercaseletters represent DNA nucleosides, all LNA C are 5-methyl cytosine,subscript o represent a phosphodiester nucleoside linkage and all otherinternucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages,and wherein GN2 represents the trivalent GalNAc cluster of formula

wherein the wavy line illustrates the site of conjugation of the clusterto the a C6 amino linker.